A group of international astrophysicists have identified cloud bands on the surface of Luhman 16A. These scientists used an idea put forth nearly two decades ago by Indian astrophysicist Sujan Sengupta. The idea is that the light emitted by a cloudy brown dwarf, or reflected off an extrasolar planet, will be polarised.
- Luhman 16 A is one of a pair of binary brown dwarfs in the Vela constellation.
- It is the third closest system to the Sun after Alpha Centauri and Barnard’s star.
- Understanding the cloud system over a brown dwarf can shed light on the pressure, temperature and climate on the surface of the celestial body.
- It is located at a distance of about 6.5 light years from the Sun.
- This pair of brown dwarfs referred to as Luhman 16A and Luhman 16B orbit each other, casting a dim light.
- Brown dwarfs are also called failed stars, because their masses are intermediate to the largest planets and the smallest main sequence stars.
Source: The Hindu
