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Key Information

CFBDSIR 2149-0403

Type Rogue Planet
Full Name CFBDSIR J214947.2-040308.9
Distance About 130 light years
Mass 4 to 7 Jupiter Masses
Temperature 800 °F
Date of Discovery 2012

Learning Point

  • The rogue planet, CFBDSIR 2149−0403, is an object found in an infrared search. It could be either a large planet, like Jupiter, or possible a brown dwarf, which is in between a star and a planet.

Project

  • Create a list of other possible rogue planets.
  • Overview
  • ESO Image
The rogue planet CFBDSIR 2149-0403
An image of the planet CFBDSIR 2149-0403 take by ESO
This closeup of an image captured by the SOFI instrument on ESO’s New Technology Telescope at the La Silla Observatory shows the free-floating planet CFBDSIR J214947.2-040308.9 in infrared light. This object, which appears as a faint blue dot at the centre of the picture, is the closest such object to the Solar System. It does not orbit a star and hence does not shine by reflected light; the faint glow it emits can only be detected in infrared light. The object appears blueish in this near-infrared view because much of the light at longer infrared wavelengths is absorbed by methane and other molecules in the planet’s atmosphere. In visible light the object is so cool that it would only shine dimly with a deep red colour when seen close-up.

Location

Located in Aquarius

Fun Facts

  • Although we think of planets only being found around stars, rogue planets could be planets that have been kicked out of their star system, or those that have formed on their own.
  • There could be billions or trillions of rogue planets in our galaxy
  • A recent survey suggested that one area of sky might contain 115 rogue planets that we can identify so far.
  • CFBDSIR 2149−0403 is one of the closest such rogue planet candidates that we have discovered.

Past Lessons

75 January 8, 2024 (North America)
No Past Lessons

Upcoming Lessons

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