Japan’s Subaru telescope images a massive exoplanet and brown dwarf, as its first major discovery

Japan's Subaru Telescope found a brown dwarf star and an exoplanet (Image: T. Currie/Subaru Telescope, UTSA0

Japan's Subaru Telescope has announced its first major scientific discoveries. A massive exoplanet and a brown dwarf were directly imaged. These results come from the new OASIS survey programme. Astronomers hope this work will advance exoplanet and star studies.

Rare Worlds Spotted in Distant Systems

The exoplanet, HIP 54515 b, orbits a star in Leo. It lies approximately 271 light-years from Earth. HIP 54515 b has nearly 18 times Jupiter’s planetary mass. It orbits at a distance comparable to Neptune in Solar System.

HIP 71618 B: The Failed Star Companion

The “failed star” companion, HIP 71618 B, is a brown dwarf. It is located about 169 light-years away in Bootes. Brown dwarfs cannot sustain hydrogen fusion like normal stars. These objects blur the line between giant planets and stars.

Advanced Instruments Enable Direct Imaging

The discoveries were made using Subaru’s cutting-edge adaptive optics system. OASIS survey combines ground-based imaging with precise astrometric measurements. This approach blocks bright starlight to reveal faint surrounding companions. Direct imaging of sub-stellar objects remains challenging but highly valuable.

Scientific Significance of These Discoveries

HIP 71618 B will serve as a target for upcoming missions. It is suitable for testing the Roman Space Telescope coronagraph. These findings validate Subaru’s high-resolution capabilities for exoplanet imaging. They demonstrate how ground-based telescopes complement space-based observatories worldwide.

Future Prospects in Exoplanet Research

The OASIS survey will continue scanning nearby stars for companions. Astronomers aim to find smaller exoplanets and study their atmospheres. These observations help refine models of planet and star formation. Subaru’s discoveries mark a milestone for exoplanetary and stellar science.