Astrophysics (Index)About

planetary mass object

(PMO, planemo)
(has the mass of a planet)

The sometimes-used term planetary mass object and abbreviation PMO clearly indicate an astronomical object is in the mass-range of a planet, but the use of the term suggests it is different than a (normal) planet in some way. The term can be used if characteristics other than its mass are unclear.

The term planetary mass object is not standardized, and there are generally other terms that could be used. One use of the term is for planet-like objects not orbiting any star; the term isolated planetary mass object (IPMO) is also used, as well as a number of other terms (see "free-floating planet"). The term sub-brown dwarf is a more specific term for such an object that implies it formed much like a star but falls below the mass-range of a brown dwarf.


(object type,planets)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sub-brown_dwarf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_planet
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015sptz.prop12060B/abstract
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012ApJ...751...22B/abstract

Referenced by pages:
EF Eridani
free-floating planet (FFP)
WISE 0855-0714 (W0855)

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