Winds and jet currents found on the closest brown dwarf to Earth

Brown dwarfs are celestial objects that are neither stars nor planets. They are approximately the size

with Jupiter, but usually tens of times more massive. However, they are smaller than the smallest stars, so their cores do not have enough pressure to fuse atoms together the way stars do.

Previously, researchers discovered that browndwarfs are very similar to Jupiter. Judging by the nature of their atmosphere, high-speed winds run parallel to the equators. Due to this, the heat emanating from its interior is redistributed on the dwarf. 

Knowing how the winds blow on dwarfs and heat is redistributed is important, as it helps us understand climate, extreme temperatures and their evolution. 

To find out, the groupThe researchers used the NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, to study the two closest brown dwarfs to Earth. They are 6.5 light years away. The brown dwarfs are named Luhman 16 A and B. Luhman 16 A is about 34 times as massive as Jupiter, and Luhman 16 B, which was the main study target, is about 28 times more massive than Jupiter and about 815 degrees hotter.

Using advanced algorithms developedmembers of the team, the researchers obtained very precise measurements of brightness changes as the two brown dwarfs rotate. The researchers' results show that there are many similarities between the atmospheric circulation of the solar system planets and brown dwarfs. As a result, brown dwarfs may serve as more massive analogues of existing giant planets.

Read more:

Loss of smell occurs in 86% of mild cases of COVID-19

The Ministry of Health of Argentina disclosed data on side effects in those who received Sputnik V

Astronomers have named the new exact age of the universe