More Brown Dwarfs

[renormalised]

Yesterday, it was announced that a team of astronomers using data from the WISE (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/WISE/news/wise20110823.html) space telescope have discovered 100 new, nearby (all within 40ly) brown dwarfs, including 6 of Class Y type. The nearest of these, WISE 1541-2250, is only 9 light years away. The coldest, WISE 1828+2650, is in Lyra and its surface temperature is only 25 degrees C. The team expect many more are to be found in close proximity to the Solar System.

WISE 1541-2250 has become the 7th closest star to our Solar System, nudging Ross 154 back to 8th.

[xelasnave]

Massive astrophysical compact halo objects?
alex:):):)

[renormalised]

No......

[CraigS]

9 Lyrs away, eh ?

I think I'd still rather head for Proxima Centauri to snoop things out.
At a stretch, I think I read somewhere, that it might be possible to get there in a century or so.

They need to find some BDs a bit closer to home … now that would make it a bit more interesting!

Cheers
PS: These finds would seem to add yet more permutations to the mix which might also result in more 'Habitable Zones', too eh ?

[renormalised]

If they pulled their finger out, they'd be able to get there (or at least start on their way) before the end of this century. Proxima would be a tad warmer!!!!. Not very promising as far as habitable zones go. Especially the Y class BD's. But, you never know....an Europa type moon might have some life on it if it orbited a BD. Tidal forces would keep the interior fairly warm, so an ocean under the ice might be present.

[CraigS]

Actually, the chances of finding more, closer to home is about to take a nosedive if/when they can the JWST.

Cheers

[renormalised]

For sure....that's gone, no large, decent IR telescope in space to look for anything. Apart from BD's.

[mswhin63]

I heard on ABC Starstuff today that there is a distinct possibility that some can exist closer than our nearest star. But wait and see.

[renormalised]

They may do so....that's why the JWST is so important. If there's any close by, they're going to be the very coolest of BD's....late T or Y class dwarfs. Which means stuff all IR so they'll need a large and sensitive scope to find them.