Wandering worlds we’ve found so far

Cha 110913-773444

Distance away: 529 light years Discovery method:

Direct observation

Constellation: Chamaeleon Discovered in 2004, Cha 110913-773444 has the mass of about eight Jupiters, making it a candidate interstellar planet. Infrared observations show that it is surrounded by a faint disc of planet-forming material – perhaps moons in formation?

WISE 0855-0714

Distance away: 7.27 light years Discovery method:

Direct observation

Constellation: Hydra Discovered in 2014 using the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, this small object is a little over seven light years away. With a low surface temperature, it’s either a cold, low-mass brown dwarf or an interstellar planet on our cosmic doorstep.

PSO J318.5-22

Distance away: 80 light years Discovery method:

Direct observation

Constellation: Capricornus PSO J318.5-22 is the best studied rogue planet so far, with a tightly constrained mass and age that indicates it’s undoubtedly a planet rather than a brown dwarf. It is about 80 light years away and was discovered in 2013.

CFBDSIR 2149-0403

Distance away: 130 light years Discovery method:

Direct observation

Constellation: Aquarius CFBDSIR 2149-0403 seems to be part of the AB Doradus Moving Group, a group of stars 50 to 120 million years old. With a surface temperature of 430 degrees Celsius (806 degrees Fahrenheit), its mass is likely four to seven Jupiters.

OTS 44

Distance away: 554 light years Discovery method:

Direct observation

Constellation: Chamaeleon This faint, young object has a mass between 6 and 17 Jupiters, putting it on the boundary between brown dwarf and planet. Excessive infrared radiation from its surroundings suggests it’s shrouded by a disc of planetforming material.