Japanese astronomers claim to have found free-floating "planets" which do not seem to orbit a star. Read full article:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13416431
From reading planetary formation theory I had suspected astronomers would eventually find celestial bodies out there without a parent sun to orbit around. Of course this discovery presents a new problem... what do we call them?
It can't be called a planet - that term is only used for astronomical objects such as our Earth that is orbiting a star or stellar remnant. Any ideas?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13416431
From reading planetary formation theory I had suspected astronomers would eventually find celestial bodies out there without a parent sun to orbit around. Of course this discovery presents a new problem... what do we call them?
It can't be called a planet - that term is only used for astronomical objects such as our Earth that is orbiting a star or stellar remnant. Any ideas?
