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In reply to the discussion: Astronomers say they've spotted lonesome planet without a sun [View all]MicaelS
(8,747 posts)30. The term usually used is "Rogue Planet".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_planet
The subject is fascinating, and I'm glad to see more attention being paid to this subject.
also known as an interstellar planet, nomad planet, free-floating planet or orphan planet
A rogue planet also known as an interstellar planet, nomad planet, free-floating planet or orphan planet is a planetary-mass object which has either been ejected from its system or was never gravitationally bound to any star, brown dwarf or other such object, and that therefore orbits the galaxy directly. Astronomers agree that either way, the definition of planet should depend on its current observable state and not its origin.
Larger planetary-mass objects which were not ejected, but have always been free-floating, are thought to have formed in a similar way to stars, and the IAU has proposed that those objects be called sub-brown dwarfs (an example of this is Cha 110913-773444, which may be an ejected rogue planet or may have formed on its own and be a sub-brown dwarf).The closest rogue planet to Earth yet discovered, PSO_J318.5-22, is around 80 light years away.
A rogue planet also known as an interstellar planet, nomad planet, free-floating planet or orphan planet is a planetary-mass object which has either been ejected from its system or was never gravitationally bound to any star, brown dwarf or other such object, and that therefore orbits the galaxy directly. Astronomers agree that either way, the definition of planet should depend on its current observable state and not its origin.
Larger planetary-mass objects which were not ejected, but have always been free-floating, are thought to have formed in a similar way to stars, and the IAU has proposed that those objects be called sub-brown dwarfs (an example of this is Cha 110913-773444, which may be an ejected rogue planet or may have formed on its own and be a sub-brown dwarf).The closest rogue planet to Earth yet discovered, PSO_J318.5-22, is around 80 light years away.
The subject is fascinating, and I'm glad to see more attention being paid to this subject.
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I've seen that before. But it's pretty astonishing, more so when you consider the amount of empty
nomorenomore08
Oct 2013
#46
That would be my guess. Playing with orbital simulators, available on line, will suggest
struggle4progress
Oct 2013
#44
Rogue planets are new enough that existing terminology doesn't cover them.
Posteritatis
Oct 2013
#45
Is it my grammar nazi tendencies or would this have been more appropriate to say "lone" planet?
Happyhippychick
Oct 2013
#6
If Pluto is a planet, you have to consider Ceres a planet. And several others.
MillennialDem
Oct 2013
#32
Looks like a tiny speck on the lens... They should have someone wipe that down.
penultimate
Oct 2013
#33