Brown Dwarfs and Planets Lecture

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions related to brown dwarfs, planets, and exoplanets as discussed in the lecture.

What defines a planet according to IAU Resolution B5?

A planet is a celestial body that (a) orbits the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass to assume a nearly round shape, and (c) has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit.

What are the three groups of planets in our solar system?

The three groups are Terrestrial (Rocky) planets, Gas giants, and Ice giants.

What is the definition of a dwarf planet according to IAU?

A dwarf planet is a celestial body that (a) orbits the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for a nearly round shape, (c) has not cleared the neighborhood around its orbit, and (d) is not a satellite.

List currently recognized dwarf planets in the Solar System.

Ceres, Pluto, Eris, Makemake, Haumea.

What are the characteristics of brown dwarfs?

Brown dwarfs are substellar objects that are too massive to be called planets but not massive enough for thermonuclear fusion.

What are ‘Hot Jupiters’?

Hot Jupiters are gas giant exoplanets that orbit very close to their stars, resulting in high surface temperatures.

What detection method was used for the first exoplanet around a sun-like star?

The radial velocity method was used to discover 51 Pegasi b in 1995.

What is the significance of the Kepler mission from 2009 to 2018?

The Kepler mission was responsible for a large number of transiting exoplanet discoveries.

How are exoplanet designations structured?

Exoplanet designations consist of the name of the host followed by a lowercase Latin letter, starting with 'b', according to the order of discovery.

What are super-Earths and sub-Neptunes?

Super-Earths are planets larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, and sub-Neptunes are similar but just below the size of Neptune.