Scientists find hidden ‘super planet’ in breakthrough observation

Astronomers have discovered a cold brown dwarf – otherwise known as a “super planet” – for the first time using a radio telescope.

Brown dwarfs are vast, sized between 15 and 75 times the mass of Jupiter, and have gaseous atmospheres similar to some of the planets in our solar system. They are also often known as “failed stars” because of the way that they shine.

Planets shine by reflecting light, while stars shine by producing their own light. Despite being so big, brown dwarfs are not able to sustain the nuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium – which causes stars to shine – hence their name.

This brown dwarf, classified BDR J1750+3809 and named “Elegast”, is the first substellar object to be detected through radio observations. Usually, these stellar objects are detected via infrared sky surveys.