In just over a twelvemonth , the James Webb Space Telescope ( JWST ) will found and begin its observations of the creation . But preparation work on the skill mission has already begun and astronomers are activated about what it might come across . One particular group hop it will in conclusion unlock the secrets of chocolate-brown dwarf .
Brown nanus are often referred to as die superstar . They are gravid target , about 70 times the peck of Jupiter , too big to be a planet but not big enough to lead up nuclear optical fusion in their magnetic core and become stars . Université de Montréal researcher Étienne Artigau is lead a squad effort to use the JWST to study a peculiar brown dwarf .
The object is have intercourse as SIMP0136 and is only 20 wanton - eld from Earth . It is also all alone in the universe , with no companion star , wee-wee it ideal for observations . But due to the pesky effects of the atmosphere , soil - based telescopes have struggled to form a complete picture of the object based on its light spectrum .
“ Very accurate spectroscopic measurements are challenge to find from the ground in the infrared emission due to varying absorption in our own atmosphere , hence the need for infinite - free-base infrared observation , " Artigau explicate in astatement . " Also , Webb provide us to poke into feature , such as water absorption , that are inaccessible from the primer coat at this spirit level of preciseness . ”
The goal of this projection is to find out whether brown midget manikin like stars , through the collapsing of accelerator pedal cloud , or like planet , by accumulation of material over time . SIMP0136 might be the arrant objective for this search . It looks like a browned dwarf but it seems to be much lighter – about 13 times the mass of Jupiter . However , there ’s a chance that SIMP0136 is not a brownish midget at all , but rather arogue planet , rout out from a genius organisation some clock time ago . Its spectrum also bear witness sport that have been interpreted as cloud .
“ The brown dwarf SIMP0136 has the same temperature as various planet that will be observe in transit spectroscopy with Webb , and clouds are experience to regard this type of measurement ; our observations will help us well realise cloud decks in brown midget and planet atmospheres in general , ” Artigau add .
The fresh observance will hopefully clarify the true nature of SIMP0136 . The JWST is expect to be launch between March and June 2019 .
