Space Telescope “James Webb” I discovered a massive object, larger than Jupiter, emitting infrared radiation from methane. Astronomers believe that this mysterious find may be indicative of an atmospheric heating process similar to polar radiance.
The object, known as the isolated brown dwarf W1935, has captured the attention of scientists due to its frigid temperature and the absence of a host star, which is typically the source of energy for methane radiation. It is speculated that the enigmatic radiation may be the result of processes that generate its own polar radiance.
Researchers theorize that the methane radiation could be related to the bright polar radiance observed on gas giants like Jupiter. In our own solar system, polar radiance is observed on Earth, where energy particles from the Sun interact with the planet’s magnetic field. Unlike the planets in our system, W1935 lacks a stellar wind to stimulate methane radiation.
This new discovery raises questions about the mechanisms responsible for the mysterious glow of the brown dwarf. Possible explanations being considered include the influence of interstellar plasma, internal processes within the object, or the presence of an active satellite, similar to the impact of Jupiter and Saturn’s moons on their polar radiance.
The detection of W1935’s unusual radiation was part of a research project led by astronomer Jackie Feherti from the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The findings were made possible through collaboration with civil scientist Dan Caselden and the NASA infrared space television.
Observations made using a powerful telescope revealed that W1935 bears resemblance to another brown dwarf, W2220, identified by Caselden, but with different methane radiation characteristics.
Feherti initially found these observations perplexing, stating, “My first question was: why is this object emitting methane radiation?”
Computer models have shown that W1935’s atmosphere exhibits a rare phenomenon among isolated objects, with its temperature increasing as altitude rises. Temperature inversions, which are typical of gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn, could result from external factors associated with polar radiance. This theory has been previously employed to explain similar unusual observations of brown dwarfs.
Feherti emphasized the uniqueness of W1935, stating, “Now we have an incredible expansion of the phenomenon, without any star irradiation to offer an explanation.”
Researchers are hopeful that future observations made using