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Astronomers Find Planet in Unusual Polar Orbit Around Twin Suns

Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet, 2M1510 (AB) b, orbiting at a 90° angle around a pair of brown dwarfs—an arrangement never before confirmed in any binary system, opening new questions about how planets form and survive in extreme gravitational environments.

Summary

  • Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope detected unexpected wobbling in the brown dwarf pair 2M1510, indicating a third body in the system.
  • The newly confirmed planet, 2M1510 (AB) b, travels on a polar orbit, meaning its orbital plane is perpendicular to that of its two host brown dwarfs.
  • The host objects are brown dwarfs—“failed stars” roughly 35 times the mass of Jupiter—that eclipse one another as viewed from Earth, making this only the second known eclipsing brown dwarf binary.
  • 2M1510 (AB) b lies about 120 light-years from Earth, and is likely a gas giant several times Earth’s mass, though exact mass remains uncertain.
  • This is the first confirmed instance of a circumbinary polar planet, expanding the diversity of known planetary architectures and challenging models of planet formation.
  • The discovery was serendipitous: observations aimed at characterizing the brown dwarfs revealed orbital perturbations best explained by a third body on a polar trajectory.
  • The finding appears in Science Advances, led by Thomas Baycroft and Amaury Triaud at the University of Birmingham.
  • Simulations suggest such polar orbits can remain stable for billions of years, despite the complex gravitational pulls from two central objects.
  • The discovery hints that other polar circumbinary planets may lurk undetected in existing data sets.
  • Future observations, including with the James Webb Space Telescope, could probe the planet’s atmosphere and refine its mass and composition.
Astronomers Find Planet in Unusual Polar Orbit Around Twin Suns
Astronomers saw a planet going around two unusual stars. The planet’s path is sideways, not aligned with the stars, at a right angle.

Introduction

Planetary systems around two suns capture the imagination, from science fiction’s Tatooine to real circumbinary worlds discovered by Kepler. Yet all previously confirmed circumbinary planets have orbits roughly aligned with their stars’ orbital plane. The recent detection of 2M1510 (AB) b on a perpendicular path shatters that pattern and reveals new complexity in how planets can orbit multiple hosts.

The Host Brown Dwarfs

Brown dwarfs bridge the gap between stars and giant planets. They pack up to a few tens of Jupiter masses but lack the heft to sustain hydrogen fusion in their cores. The 2M1510 system consists of two such objects, each about thirty-five times Jupiter’s mass, that eclipse each other every few days. From Earth, their mutual eclipses make them stand out as an “eclipsing binary,” an uncommon configuration among brown dwarfs.

Property 2M1510 A 2M1510 B
Mass (Jupiter masses) ~35 ~35
Type Brown dwarf Brown dwarf
Orbital period ~— days ~— days
Discovery method SPECULOOS survey SPECULOOS survey

The Unusual Planet

The planet 2M1510 (AB) b was not found by the usual transit dips but by tiny, rhythmic wobbles in the brown dwarfs’ motion. These perturbations could only be explained by a third body tugging at the binary, and the best fit places that body in a polar, or perpendicular, orbit relative to the brown dwarfs’ plane. This marks the first time a circumbinary planet has been seen on such an orbit.

Characteristic Value
Orbit inclination ~90° (polar)
Estimated mass 4–5 Earth masses (min.)
Distance from Earth ~120 light-years
Host type Eclipsing brown dwarf pair
Discovery instrument ESO VLT

How It Was Discovered

Astronomers led by Thomas Baycroft at the University of Birmingham were analyzing high-precision data from ESO’s Very Large Telescope in Chile when they noticed odd shifts in the timing of the brown dwarfs’ eclipses. After ruling out stellar activity or additional faint stars, the team found that only a planet on a polar orbit could reproduce the observed signals. As Baycroft noted, “I am particularly excited to be involved in detecting credible evidence that this configuration exists”.

Why Polar Orbits Matter

Planets form in discs of gas and dust that usually align with their star’s equator. A polar circumbinary planet suggests dramatic early dynamics—perhaps interactions with other planets or disc warping by the binary—that flipped the orbit by 90°. Such extreme tilts can test and refine models of planet formation under complex gravity.

Astronomers Find Planet in Unusual Polar Orbit Around Twin Suns
This system is composed of two large stars orbiting a central mass.

Implications for Planet Formation Theories

Traditional models struggle to explain how a planet remains stable on a perpendicular path around two massive objects. Computer simulations now must account for strong, time-varying gravitational forces that can pump up orbital eccentricities or eject bodies entirely. The longevity of 2M1510 (AB) b’s orbit implies that polar circumbinary niches can be safe harbors for planets over billions of years.

Future Observations

Follow-up studies will aim to measure the planet’s mass more precisely and search for an atmosphere. Instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope could detect atmospheric signatures, while long-term monitoring will reveal whether the orbit drifts or remains locked in its polar orientation. Surveys may also re-examine other eclipsing binaries for similar wobbles, potentially uncovering more polar worlds.

Facts

Humans once imagined Tatooine worlds in fiction. Now we know nature can produce even stranger setups than movies.
Brown dwarfs glow faintly in infrared, so the sky from 2M1510 (AB) b would show two dim red suns instead of bright yellow ones.
Polar orbits around a binary mean seasons could be extreme: months of darkness followed by months of light as the planet passes above and below the binary plane.

Conclusion

The discovery of 2M1510 (AB) b on a perpendicular orbit shatters our expectations of planetary layouts. It highlights the surprising outcomes possible when planets form in turbulent, multi-body systems. As telescopes grow more powerful, we may find that polar circumbinary planets are not one-off oddities but a hidden population awaiting detection.

References

  1. “Big surprise”: astronomers find planet in perpendicular orbit around pair of stars. ESO. April 16, 2025. ESO — The European Southern Observatory
  2. Luke Skywalker’s planet orbited two stars… brown dwarfs instead? Reuters. April 18, 2025. Reuters
  3. Evidence for a polar circumbinary exoplanet orbiting a pair … Science Advances. Last week. Science
  4. Astronomers detect exoplanet on rare perpendicular path around … SpaceDaily. April 22, 2025. SpaceDaily
  5. Polar planet 2M1510 (AB) b around binary brown dwarfs. Sky at Night Magazine. April 20, 2025. Sky at Night Magazine
  6. A tilted “Tatooine planet” whose two suns aren’t stars at all. Science. Last week. Science
  7. Rare exoplanet orbits twin stars in ‘Star Wars’-like twist. Phys.org. Last week. Phys.org
  8. New Planet In Strange Perpendicular Orbit Around Binary Stars Is … IFLScience. IFLScience
  9. Planet Found Orbiting Two Stars at a Perfect 90-Degree Angle. SciTechDaily. SciTech Daily
  10. Descubren un “planeta Tatooine” en órbita perpendicular… Cadena SER. cadenaser.com

Even Stars Can Get the Hiccups: Exploring Cosmic Anomalies and Their Causes

The concept of “stellar hiccups” reveals a fascinating phase in the lives of massive stars, where rapid core expansions and contractions can precede supernova explosions. This newly observed phenomenon, known as “pulsational pair-instability,” enhances our understanding of stellar evolution and the cosmic processes that shape the universe.

Summary

  • Stellar hiccups are rare, observable pre-supernova phases in stars with masses ranging between 60-150 times that of the Sun.
  • The phenomenon is caused by pulsational pair-instability (PPI), where the stellar core rapidly contracts and expands under extreme temperatures.
  • Massive stars nearing the end of their lifespans eject shells of material during these “hiccup” events, creating bursts of energy visible from Earth.
  • These “hiccups” help scientists understand how massive stars shed mass and transition to the supernova stage.
  • The discovery of SN2020acct in the NGC2981 galaxy provided the first-ever observation of this phenomenon.
  • The core mechanism involves material ejection due to unstable thermonuclear reactions in massive stars, followed by collisions between ejected shells of gas.
  • This process was theorized for decades but remained unobserved due to its rarity and faintness.
  • Observing hiccups can aid in predicting supernova occurrences and understanding element distribution in the universe.
  • The remnants of these massive explosions create neutron stars or black holes, depending on the progenitor’s mass.
  • The study also sheds light on the role of supernovae in spreading heavy elements critical for forming planets and life.
Even Stars Can Get the Hiccups Exploring Cosmic Anomalies and Their Causes
This new picture comes from the VLT Survey Telescope (VST) at ESO’s Paranal Observatory. It shows the impressive super star cluster called Westerlund 1. This bright cluster is about 16,000 light-years from Earth. It is located in the southern constellation of Ara, also known as The Altar. The cluster contains hundreds of very large and bright stars. These stars are only a few million years old, which is very young for stars.
However, we can’t see this cluster clearly because gas and dust block most of its visible light from reaching Earth. Recently, astronomers found something unexpected while studying images of Westerlund 1. These images are from a new survey of the southern skies. They discovered clouds of glowing hydrogen gas around one of the stars in the cluster. This star is called W26. W26 is a red supergiant and might be the biggest star known.
Glowing clouds around massive stars are very rare. They are even rarer around a red supergiant. In fact, this is the first ionised nebula found around such a star. An ionised nebula is a glowing cloud of gas that usually surrounds stars. W26 is too cool to make the gas glow by itself. The astronomers think that the gas glows due to radiation from somewhere else. The source might be hot blue stars elsewhere in the cluster or a much hotter companion star to W26.
W26 will eventually explode as a supernova. A supernova is a powerful explosion that happens when a star dies. The nebula around W26 is similar to the one that surrounded SN1987A. SN1987A is the remains of a star that became a supernova in 1987. It was the closest supernova to Earth observed since 1604. This gave astronomers a chance to learn more about these explosions.
By studying objects like the new nebula around W26, astronomers can understand how massive stars lose mass before exploding. Understanding these processes helps scientists learn more about the life and death of stars.
This picture is part of a detailed survey of a large part of the Milky Way. The survey is called VPHAS+ and uses the VST’s power to find new objects like young stars and planetary nebulae. A planetary nebula is a glowing shell of gas and dust around an old star. A recent picture of the Prawn Nebula also came from this survey.

Cosmic Context of Stellar Hiccups

Stars are colossal nuclear furnaces, responsible for producing and dispersing heavy elements essential for the formation of planets and life. Among these stars, massive ones often live dramatically short lives, culminating in supernova explosions that distribute their materials into space. However, before the grand finale of a supernova, some stars exhibit unique “hiccups” due to a rare process called pulsational pair-instability (PPI).

What Are Stellar Hiccups?

PPI causes the cores of massive stars to rapidly expand and contract, ejecting shells of material in the process. These hiccups are short-lived, occurring just years, or even days, before a supernova.

In December 2020, astronomers discovered one such hiccup in the galaxy NGC2981, marking the first observation of this fascinating event.

The Science Behind Pulsational Pair-Instability

The term pulsational pair-instability refers to a rare phenomenon where conditions in a star’s core destabilize due to:

  1. Extreme Heat: Stars exceeding 60 times the Sun’s mass reach temperatures high enough to produce electron-positron pairs, reducing radiation pressure.
  2. Core Collapse: Reduced pressure causes the core to collapse under gravity.
  3. Rapid Expansion: Nuclear reactions reignite, causing the core to expand and eject material in violent bursts.

How PPI Affects Stellar Evolution

Each hiccup expels part of the star’s mass, lowering its overall size and altering its eventual fate. Over time, the remaining core becomes unstable enough to collapse into either a neutron star or a black hole.

Observed Phenomenon: The Case of SN2020acct

The Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory detected SN2020acct, initially classified as a supernova. However, astronomers later discovered that the light emitted was not a supernova but the result of material shells colliding near the star.

Observation Timeline Key Events
December 2020 SN2020acct discovered in NGC2981
February 2021 Unusual light reappeared in the same region
Detailed Analysis Confirmed “hiccups” as the cause

Why Are Stellar Hiccups Important?

Stellar hiccups provide insights into the processes that precede supernovae, which are critical for understanding:

  • Elemental Formation: The heavy elements necessary for life are created during these events.
  • Massive Star Evolution: PPI events help explain how massive stars lose mass before exploding.
  • Supernova Prediction: Observing hiccups can refine supernova timelines, aiding astronomical studies.
Even Stars Can Get the Hiccups Exploring Cosmic Anomalies and Their Causes
The 48-inch telescope at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory captured this visible-light image of the Pinwheel galaxy (Messier 101) in June 2023. The image shows the location of supernova 2023ixf, which is highlighted with a circle. The observatory is on Mount Hopkins in Arizona. The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian operates the observatory. Hiramatsu and others reported this in 2023. Sebastian Gomez from the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) also contributed.

Supernovae: The Aftermath of Stellar Hiccups

Supernovae are categorized into two primary types:

Supernova Type Key Features
Type I Occurs in binary star systems; involves the accumulation of matter on a white dwarf.
Type II Marks the death of a massive star; involves core collapse and violent expulsion of outer layers.

Facts About Stellar Hiccups

  • Stellar hiccups are believed to occur in stars 60-150 times the mass of the Sun.
  • The phenomenon was only theorized until its first observation in 2020.
  • Hiccups can lead to repetitive light bursts from stars before they die.
  • The Pinwheel Galaxy (Messier 101) recently hosted one of the brightest supernova events related to stellar hiccups.

Applications and Future Research

Astronomers aim to leverage telescopic advancements to:

  • Detect more stars exhibiting hiccups.
  • Study their frequency and duration.
  • Develop models predicting supernova timings.

Stellar hiccups provide a rare glimpse into the chaotic lives of massive stars nearing their end. Observing these events enhances our understanding of supernovae, the creation of heavy elements, and the intricate processes that govern our universe.

The discovery of SN2020acct marked a pivotal moment in astronomy, highlighting the importance of continued research into cosmic anomalies. As technology advances, astronomers hope to unlock more secrets of the universe, expanding humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.

References

  1. Hiccuping Stars Caught in Action – Queen’s University Belfast
  2. Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory – Center for Astrophysics
#cosmicphenomena, #stellarhiccups, #astronomyresearch, #supernovaexploration, #universesecrets, #astronomydiscoveries, #NASA, #ESO, #cosmicevents, #galaxies, #astronomicalscience, #stars, #universe, #spaceexploration, #astrophysics

WOH G64: Stunning Close-Up of a Dying Star Outside Our Galaxy

Astronomers achieved a groundbreaking milestone by capturing an unprecedented image of WOH G64, a red supergiant star in its final stages of life, located outside our galaxy. This discovery was made possible through cutting-edge technology from the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESO’s VLTI).

Summary

  • Observation Milestone: First close-up image of a dying star beyond the Milky Way.
  • Star’s Identity: WOH G64, located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, is a red supergiant about 2000 times the size of the Sun.
  • Egg-Shaped Cocoon: The star is surrounded by a dusty envelope, possibly caused by material ejections or a companion star.
  • Technological Leap: The ESO’s VLTI GRAVITY instrument captured the image.
  • Stellar Evolution: Observing WOH G64 provides real-time insights into the life cycle of massive stars.
  • Significance of Findings: Highlights material shedding processes before a supernova explosion.
  • Future Prospects: Further observations with updated instruments like GRAVITY+ promise even clearer insights.
  • Challenges in Astronomy: Imaging stars outside the galaxy has been difficult due to vast distances.
  • Impact on Science: Enhances understanding of red supergiants and their eventual fate.
  • Research Publication: Findings published in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
  • Influence of Companion Stars: Speculation on a companion star shaping the cocoon’s structure.
  • Dimmer Star: Observations reveal that WOH G64 has become fainter over the past decade.
  • Long-term Study: Astronomers have studied this star for decades, enhancing our knowledge of stellar evolution.
  • Historical Context: WOH G64 has been known to scientists for decades due to its extreme properties.
  • Broader Implications: Paves the way for studying more distant stars beyond the Milky Way.

Main Article

“For the first time, we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way,” stated Keiichi Ohnaka, an astrophysicist from Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile. The remarkable star, WOH G64, lies 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud and offers new insights into the end stages of stellar life.

Using the ESO’s VLTI, astronomers unveiled structural changes in the star, suggesting ongoing ejections of gas and dust. Ohnaka’s team observed an egg-shaped dusty cocoon surrounding the star, indicating possible drastic material losses before the star’s eventual transformation into a supernova.

Until now, detailed images of distant stars were a significant challenge due to their immense distances. WOH G64’s proximity in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, made this observation possible. Despite its closeness in astronomical terms, capturing the star required innovative technologies like VLTI’s GRAVITY instrument.

Table 1: Technological Contributions to Observing WOH G64

Technology Functionality Impact
ESO’s VLTI GRAVITY High-resolution imaging of distant objects Enabled first close-up image of WOH G64
Advanced Interferometry Combining light from multiple telescopes Improved clarity and detail in images
Infrared Observations Captures heat emissions from cool objects Detailed view of WOH G64’s dust cocoon

WOH G64: The Behemoth Star

Astronomers have long studied WOH G64 due to its extreme size—about 2000 times the Sun’s diameter—and unique properties. As a red supergiant, the star is in its final life stage, shedding vast amounts of material into space.

The new image reveals a peculiar egg-shaped dust envelope surrounding the star. This feature deviates from expected symmetrical models, hinting at a possible influence from a companion star or irregular material ejections.

The findings show WOH G64 dimming over the past decade, offering a rare chance to witness stellar changes in real time. This dimming, combined with the peculiar cocoon shape, suggests ongoing material loss, potentially preceding a dramatic supernova explosion.

Table 2: Key Characteristics of WOH G64

Feature Details
Type Red Supergiant
Size ~2000 times the Sun’s diameter
Distance 160,000 light-years from Earth
Location Large Magellanic Cloud
Dust Cocoon Egg-shaped, stretches due to material shedding

The VLTI’s GRAVITY+ instrument, currently under development, promises even sharper and more detailed observations of stars like WOH G64. With advancements in technology, astronomers hope to confirm the presence of a dusty torus around the star, refine theories about its dimming, and better understand material ejection processes.

WOH G64 Stunning Close-Up of a Dying Star Outside Our Galaxy
This image shows an artist’s reconstruction of the star WOH G64. This star is the first one outside our galaxy to be imaged in close-up. WOH G64 is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This is a galaxy near our own. The star is more than 160,000 light-years away. A light-year is the distance light travels in one year. This artistic impression shows the star’s main features. The star has an egg-shaped cocoon of dust around it. It also has a ring or torus of dust. A torus is a doughnut-shaped ring. Scientists need more observations to confirm the existence and shape of the ring. Credit: ESO/L. Calçada

WOH G64’s observation marks a pivotal moment in astronomy, expanding our knowledge of stellar evolution and red supergiants. By observing this dying star, astronomers can refine models of supernovae and better understand the cosmic recycling process that seeds new stars and planets.

The groundbreaking observation of WOH G64 demonstrates the power of modern astronomy to unveil the universe’s mysteries. This achievement not only sheds light on the life cycles of massive stars but also sets the stage for future discoveries beyond our galaxy.

References

  1. ESO News Release on WOH G64
  2. Ohnaka, K., et al. “Imaging the innermost circumstellar environment of the red supergiant WOH G64,” Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2024. DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202451820
  3. ESO GRAVITY Instrument Details
  4. Large Magellanic Cloud Overview
  5. Supernovae and Stellar Life Cycles
#WOHG64, #RedSupergiant, #AstronomyBreakthrough, #ESO, #VLTI, #LargeMagellanicCloud, #StellarEvolution, #Supernova, #SpaceResearch, #AstronomyTech, #CosmicMysteries, #DyingStars, #AstronomicalImaging, #StellarScience, #ScienceNews
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