News Space

Rogue planet found among gang of stars

Orphan orb is closest object of its kind to Earth

By Tanya Lewis

- More than 2 years ago

Not all planets are content to dutifully circle a star. A new rogue planet has been spied roaming free among a pack of young stars about 115 to 160 light-years from Earth.

ROGUE PLANET At less than 160 light-years from Earth, the free-floating planet CFBDSIR2149 (artist’s illustration shown) is the nearest planet-like object found not orbiting a star.