Luhman 16: Binary Brown Dwarf System

Luhman 16: Binary Brown Dwarf System

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Space

In News:

• Recently, a group of astrophysicists have found that the closest known brown dwarf, Luhman 16A. 
• It also shows signs of cloud bands similar to those seen on Jupiter and Saturn.

Key takeaways:

• They used polarimetry technique to determine the properties of atmospheric clouds. 
• They have found the actual structure of the clouds (not only their presence) in case of Luhman 16A. 

Important value additions:

Luhman 16

• Luhman 16A is part of a binary system (Luhman 16) containing a second brown dwarf, Luhman 16B. 
• This pair orbits each other.
• It is situated at a distance of about 6.5 light years from the Sun and 
• It is the third closest system to the Sun after Alpha Centauri and Barnard’s star.

Brown Dwarfs

• They are also called failed stars. 
• Their masses are heavier than planets but lighter than stars.

Binary Stars System

• Binary stars are two stars orbiting a common center of mass.
• Calculations of their orbits allow the masses of their component stars to be directly determined. 

Polarimetry 

• It is the study of polarization. 
• It is a property of light. 
• It represents the direction in which the light wave oscillates.
• When light is reflected off of particles it can favor a certain angle of polarization. 
• By measuring the angle from a distant system, astronomers can deduce the presence of clouds.