Astronomers may have found the first exomoon
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Astronomers may have detected the first exomoon, orbiting a brown dwarf.
Using ESO's VLT, researchers found evidence of a Jupiter-mass object orbiting the brown dwarf CD-35 2722 b, which itself orbits the star CD-35 2722. The system, described as "super weird" by lead author Kevin Hoy, blurs definitions of planet and moon. The object was detected via the radial velocity method. If confirmed, it would be the first exosatellite found outside our solar system. The discovery challenges existing cosmic labels, as the object does not orbit a star directly. The team calls it an exosatellite or exomoon, pending official classification.
What commenters are saying
Commenters debated the proper classification of the object, with many noting the IAU definition allows an exoplanet to orbit a brown dwarf. Several pointed out that the brown dwarf itself is neither star nor planet, making the satellite's label ambiguous. The discussion highlighted the difficulty of applying Solar System terms to such systems. A few commenters noted the unusual left margin on the Chilean flag on ESO's site, explained by Chile's special status as host country. Others shared enthusiasm for Chile's exceptional night skies in the Atacama Desert.