Astronomers have discovered a rare circumbinary planet orbiting two brown dwarfs, providing insight into the diversity of planetary systems in our galaxy. The newly found exoplanet, 2M1510 (AB) b, is located approximately 120 light-years from Earth and orbits a pair of brown dwarfs that are gravitationally bound and nearly aligned.
The planet’s orbit is unique, with it revolving almost perpendicular to the plane established by the two brown dwarfs. This polar orbit is unlike any other exoplanet on record, which typically follow the plane of their star’s rotation. The discovery was made using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile.
Researchers found evidence of a gas planet roughly four or five times the mass of Earth, orbiting the two brown dwarfs. Each brown dwarf is about 35 times more massive than Jupiter. The system consists of two gravitationally bound brown dwarfs that orbit near each other, with one additional brown dwarf at a greater distance.
The binary brown dwarfs have masses approximately 4% that of the sun and are only about 0.1% as luminous. This unique configuration presents a fascinating opportunity to learn more about planetary systems and their diversity.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/science/luke-skywalkers-planet-orbited-two-stars-how-about-brown-dwarfs-instead-2025-04-18