The coldest star known to us is a type of star called a brown dwarf. Brown dwarfs are often referred to as “failed stars” because they lack the mass required to sustain nuclear fusion in their cores, which is what powers regular stars like our Sun. As a result, brown dwarfs emit very little light and heat compared to true stars.
One particular brown dwarf that stands out as being exceptionally cold is CFBDSIR 1458 10b, which was discovered about 75 light-years away. This brown dwarf has been found to have a temperature similar to that of a freshly brewed cup of coffee, making it one of the coldest known stellar objects.
The discovery of CFBDSIR 1458 10b was made possible through the use of infrared telescopes, which can detect the faint heat signatures emitted by objects in space. By studying the infrared radiation coming from this brown dwarf, scientists were able to determine its temperature and classify it as one of the coldest stars known.
It is fascinating to think about the extreme conditions that exist in the universe, where a star can be as cold as a cup of coffee. This discovery highlights the diversity and complexity of stellar objects, and reminds us that there is still much to learn about the vast expanse of space.
One of the reasons why brown dwarfs like CFBDSIR 1458 10b are so interesting to scientists is that they can provide valuable insights into the early stages of star formation. By studying these “failed stars,” astronomers hope to gain a better understanding of how stars are born and evolve over time.
The coldest star known to us is CFBDSIR 1458 10b, a brown dwarf located 75 light-years away. Its temperature is comparable to that of a freshly brewed cup of coffee, making it one of the coldest stellar objects ever discovered. This finding underscores the incredible diversity and complexity of the universe, and the ongoing quest to unravel its mysteries.