CWISEP J193518.59–154620.3 Archives

The contribution functions for W1935 and W2220 maximum likelihood retrieval models. The CH4 emission seen in W1935 originates from pressures shallower than 0.01 bar. -- astro-ph.SR

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Brown Dwarfs, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Gas Giants, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

Methane Emission From a Cool Brown Dwarf

by Keith CowingApril 20, 2024

Beyond our solar system, aurorae have been inferred from radio observations of isolated brown dwarfs (e.g. Hallinan et al. 2006; Kao et al. 2023). Within our solar system, giant planets […]

This artist concept portrays the brown dwarf W1935, which is located 47 light-years from Earth. Astronomers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope found infrared emission from methane coming from W1935. This is an unexpected discovery because the brown dwarf is cold and lacks a host star; therefore, there is no obvious source of energy to heat its upper atmosphere and make the methane glow. The team speculates that the methane emission may be due to processes generating aurorae, shown here in red. CREDIT NASA, ESA, CSA, Leah Hustak (Space Telescope Science Institute)

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Brown Dwarfs, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release

Methane Emission Observed On A Cold Brown Dwarf

by Keith CowingApril 17, 2024April 17, 2024

Using new observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have discovered methane emission on a brown dwarf, an unexpected finding for such a cold and isolated world.