Astronomers have identified an unusual pair of free-floating planetary-mass objects drifting through space together, marking the lowest-mass binary system ever discovered. The finding, made using the Keck II telescope in Hawaii, challenges traditional classifications of planets and brown dwarfs while offering new insights into how such objects form and evolve.

Astronomers have identified an unusual pair of free-floating planetary-mass objects drifting through space together, marking the lowest-mass binary system ever discovered. The finding, made using the Keck II telescope in Hawaii, challenges traditional classifications of planets and brown dwarfs while offering new insights into how such objects form and evolve.

Redefining the Boundaries of Planetary Science

The discovery of 2MASS J11193254–1137466AB raises important questions about the nature of planetary-mass objects. According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), anything below 13 Jupiter masses is considered a planet, as it cannot sustain deuterium fusion. However, classification also depends on an object’s composition, temperature, and formation history.

Regardless of its classification, this binary system is the lowest-mass pair of free-floating objects ever identified. It also ranks among the least massive brown dwarfs found to date. The discovery provides a critical reference point for testing atmospheric and evolutionary models of low-mass objects, helping astronomers refine their understanding of stellar and planetary formation.

As future telescopes improve our ability to detect and analyze such systems, astronomers hope to uncover more rogue planet pairs like 2MASS J11193254–1137466AB, offering new clues into the complex nature of planetary-mass objects in our galaxy.