Exomoon Candidate Reported Orbiting Brown Dwarf CD-35 2722
Astronomers using the VLT have found evidence of a giant exosatellite orbiting a brown dwarf that itself orbits a star about 73 light-years away, with the candidate’s mass near Jupiter and an orbital period around 170 days. The discovery challenges traditional labels of planet, moon, and even star, prompting ongoing debate over nomenclature and definitions of exomoons as researchers describe the object as an exosatellite while many favor calling it a moon.
Science · 7 sources · Jul 23, 2026Read itThe journal
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About Very Large Telescope
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is an astronomical facility operated since 1998 by the European Southern Observatory, located on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. It consists of four individual telescopes, each equipped with a primary mirror that measures 8.2 metres (27 ft) in diameter. These optical telescopes, named Antu, Kueyen, Melipal, and Yepun, are generally used separately but can be combined to achieve a very high angular resolution. The VLT array is also complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) with 1.8-metre (5.9 ft) apertures.
Everything about Very Large Telescope →- Country
- Chile
- Inception
- 1998
- Website
- https://www.eso.org/vlt