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Astronomers find rare planet orbiting at 90 degrees around twin brown dwarf stars
- A planet named 2M1510 (AB) b has been confirmed to orbit at a 90-degree angle around twin brown dwarf stars, challenging traditional ideas of planetary formation and orbit.
- The planet's orbit is nearly perpendicular to the orbital plane of its host stars, making it a rare and unique discovery in the cosmos.
- The system consists of two brown dwarfs forming an eclipsing binary, with the planet following a polar orbit around them, adding complexity to the system.
- This planetary system is only the second known to contain an eclipsing pair of brown dwarfs and the first to host a planet with a polar orbit.
- The discovery raises questions about planet formation and stability in such unconventional positions, providing valuable insights into planetary evolution.
- The two brown dwarfs, collectively known as 2M1510, are of similar mass and are part of the Argus moving group, adding to the system's complexity.
- Researchers used the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile to detect the irregularities in the orbits of the brown dwarfs, leading to the identification of the planet.
- The planet, 2M1510 (AB) b, follows a polar orbit, contrary to the coplanar orbits typically observed for circumbinary planets, making it a groundbreaking find in planetary science.
- The presence of the planet was deduced based on subtle effects on the binary stars' orbits, providing evidence of its influence on the system.
- The discovery challenges existing models of planetary formation that assume planets form in coplanar discs, highlighting the diversity and complexity of planetary systems.
- This unexpected finding showcases the importance of curiosity-driven research and the advancements in astronomical techniques that enable the discovery of unconventional planets like 2M1510 (AB) b.
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