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First exomoon candidate around brown dwarf CD‑35 2722 B

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-29 08:11 UTC → 2026-08-06 21:55 UTC · added removed

First exomoon candidate around brown dwarf CD‑35 2722 B

Astronomers using ESO’s Very Large Telescope and the CRIRES+ spectrograph announced reported on 22 July 2026 the detection of a ~0.9 Jupiter‑mass object orbiting producing a 170‑day radial‑velocity signal around the brown dwarf CD‑35 2722 B, which itself circles a companion to the red‑dwarf star red dwarf CD‑35 2722 A. Follow‑up remarks data released on 24 July confirmed the 170‑day radial‑velocity signal periodic wobble and emphasized that highlighted the need for additional observations are needed measurements to verify the satellite’s nature. The team, led by Kevin Hoy and Alice Zurlo, highlighted that high‑precision spectroscopy can now be applied directly to faint brown dwarfs, opening a new avenue for finding similar companions. A brief on 27 July reiterated the detection as the most convincing exolune (exomoon) candidate to date and noted the mass and orbital period of the companion. The same release mentioned broader interest sparked by ESA’s upcoming PLATO mission, slated for launch in late 2026, which will search for transiting Earth‑size planets around bright stars. While PLATO is a separate endeavour, its mention underscores the broader interest later in characterising sub‑stellar systems beyond traditional planetary hosts. 2026. The discovery remains the first robust exomoon (or “exosatellite”) candidate outside the Solar System, prompting discussion about challenges existing classification schemes for hierarchical three‑body systems planets, moons and encouraging sub‑stellar objects, prompting the team to use the term “exosatellite.” Researchers stress that further spectroscopic monitoring is required to refine the companion’s mass and orbit. orbit and to determine whether it should be regarded as a massive moon or a planet‑like body. On 6 August 2026 the team emphasized that next‑generation facilities such as the Extremely Large Telescope will enable searches for smaller exomoons and deeper studies of hierarchical three‑body systems, extending the significance of this first robust exomoon detection beyond the Solar System.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-06 21:55 UTC First exomoon candidate around brown dwarf CD‑35 2722 B
  2. 2026-07-29 08:11 UTC First exomoon candidate around brown dwarf
  3. 2026-07-26 13:09 UTC First exomoon candidate around brown dwarf
  4. 2026-07-25 21:12 UTC First exomoon candidate around brown dwarf

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