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Exploring a Frozen Extrasolar World


July 6, 2016

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Since its detection in 2014, the brown dwarf WISE 0855 has fascinated astronomers. Only 7.2 light-years from Earth, it is the coldest known object outside of our solar system, barely visible at infrared wavelengths with the largest ground-based telescopes. Now, astronomers have succeeded in obtaining an infrared spectrum of it using the NSF-funded Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, providing details of its composition and chemistry.Full Story

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Gemini Observatory

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