J1407b, dubbed Super Saturn, is an extra-solar object located 450 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Centaurus orbiting the star V1400 Centauri. The object was discovered in 2012. The object was thought to be a planet with massive rings, however, this was proven false as the object was only observed once and never seen again, due to unknown reasons. This means the object is likely a rogue brown dwarf with a protoplanetary disk instead of rings.[1] The object has since been removed from the game.[2]
Misinformation[]
The object was once thought to be an exoplanet with massive rings 200 times larger than that of Saturn. This was quickly disproven but misinformation was spread through the internet that the object was supposedly a "super Saturn". This is not true at all, as shown by some studies. This misinformation was further popularized by certain astronomy YouTube channels.[3]
Trivia[]
- The object was regarded as the first extra-solar object discovered to have a ring system, which is actually a protoplanetary disk.
References[]
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V1400_Centauri#Suspected_substellar_companion
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/spaceengine/comments/1eds9j3/j1047b_the_disproven_exoplanet_around_v1400/ Reddit post showing that the object is not there
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzrwL3W5wl4, video that goes in-depth about the J1407b myth.
Gallery[]
Erroneous artistic representation of J1407b, shown here as a ringed planet.
Also erroneous J1407b but in Space Engine.