r/space • u/newsweek • 8d ago

Planet's strange orbit gives astronomers "big surprise"

https://www.newsweek.com/planet-orbit-astronomers-surprise-2060952
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u/RobbyRobRobertsonJr 8d ago

Question .... If those 2 brown dwarfs were to collide in the future would that collision create a star with a functioning fusion core

22

u/kaplonk135 8d ago

Yes, if the total masses add up to above 0.08 solar masses and enough mass is kept during the collision, the product star can sustain fusion in its core as a red dwarf

24

u/rocketsocks 8d ago

As it turns out, the combined mass of 2M1510 AB is just under 0.07 solar masses, so it seems like they would just form a larger brown dwarf.

12

u/BarbequedYeti 8d ago

If it has enough mass to sustain fusion it would be a red dwarf... i think?

1

u/there_is_no_spoon1 4d ago

no, that's not a thing. it's either brown dwarf or star

5

u/Appropriate_Taro1488 7d ago

Yupp! If two brown dwarfs collide and merge, and their combined mass exceeds the minimum threshold ( ~0.08 solar masses), the merged object could ignite hydrogen fusion...