4 ms·
Apparently, the estimated number of orphan planets is "100,000 per star in the galaxy!" [1]. The star equivalent to these orphan planets are called, well, orph
by hrjet 13y ago
Apparently, the estimated number of orphan planets is "100,000 per star in the galaxy!" [1].
The star equivalent to these orphan planets are called, well, orphan stars. They are not bound to a particular galaxy and roam about freely in the space between galaxies [2].
[1]: http://news.discovery.com/space/astronomy/galaxy-filled-with-wandering-planets-study-finds-120224.htm http://news.discovery.com/space/astronomy/galaxy-filled-with...
[2]: http://aninews.in/newsdetail14/story80862/-039-mysterious-039-galaxy-halos-produced-by-orphan-stars.html http://aninews.in/newsdetail14/story80862/-039-mysterious-03...
- worldsayshi 13y agoI wonder what the chances are for orphan planets to wander into a solar system. I suppose that could wreak quite some havoc.
- skriticos2 13y agoGuess that very much depends on which angle, relative speed and path it comes in. Based on my very limited astrophysics I'd guess it wouldn't have much of an impact and in most cases would just cruise through the system with a slight gravitational course correction arc and be on it's way again to interplanetary space. Feel free to correct me.
- uchi 13y agoThe chances are incredibly small.
- worldsayshi 13y agoIf there are 100,000 free floating planets per star, and it's still an incredibly small chance that one wanders into a solar system it gives you some slight sense of proportion.
- yitchelle 13y agoI would have imagined that the chance is almost the same as another space object entering a solar system..
- hga 13y agoThis concept was considered as early as 1933 in the excellent and influential novel When Worlds Collide (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Worlds_Collide https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Worlds_Collide), which I highly recommend as well as the sequel After Worlds Collide where they have all sorts of fun on Bronson Beta. Skip the movie, the books are of course more dated but much better.
- phorese 13y agoFrom [1]: "The Milky Way may be teeming with more than 100,000 free-flying planets for every star[...]." "This is the finding from a study that extrapolates from observations of a dozen so-called “nomad” planets, which were detected when their gravity briefly contorted light of passing stars[...]." Sounds a bit sensationalist to me...