Wandering planet Cha 1107-7626 records record accretion rate of 6.6 billion tons per second. Observations with the James Webb and Very Large Telescope telescopes reveal sudden increase in August 2025. Object in the constellation Chameleon has a mass between five and ten times that of Jupiter.
Scientists have detected an unprecedented growth spurt in a body of planetary mass. Phenomenon occurred without orbit in host star. Previous rate multiplied by eight for months.
- Location: 620 light years from Earth.
- Instruments: JWST and VLT in Chile.
- Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Letters in November 2025.
Object has roamed freely in space since initial discovery in 2008.
Observation Details
Teams monitored Cha 1107-7626 throughout 2025. Spectroscopic data showed hydrogen lines indicative of magnetic accretion.
Brightening reached 1.5 to 2 magnitudes in April-May and June-August periods. Spectrum revealed double peak in Hα and redshifted absorption.
Hypotheses about origin
Researchers debate object formation. One possibility involves ejection from a stellar system by gravitational interactions.
Another suggests direct collapse of a molecular cloud, similar to low-mass stars. Evidence points to an isolated process.
Magnetic fields channel matter from the circum-object disk. Comparison with EXor bursts in young stars reinforces similarity.
Disk characteristics
Surrounding disc contains hydrocarbons and silicates. Infrared observations detected excesses of 4 to 12 microns.
Line emissions indicate a carbon-rich environment. Chemistry changed during accretion outbreak.
Scientific implications
Discovery represents the first burst of accretion on a substellar object. Rate reaches 10^{-7} Jupiter masses per year at peak.
Study expands understanding of isolated planetary-mass objects. Magnetic processes operate at scales below brown dwarfs.
- Estimated mass: 5-10 MJup.
- Approximate age: 1-2 million years.
- Distance: Chameleon Constellation.
Future monitoring
Teams plan continued observations with JWST and VLT. Objective includes determination of recurrence of outbreaks.
Analyses will look for patterns in accretion variability. Data will help redefine boundaries between planets and stars.
Comparisons with other objects
Cha 1107-7626 differs from typical wandering planets by extreme activity. Similar to ISO-ChaI 147 on circum-object disk.
Most intense burst recorded in planetary mass. It is equivalent to the absorption of eight Pallas masses per year at peak.
Object serves as a laboratory for isolation training. JWST’s NIRSpec and MIRI spectra provide detailed resolution.
Role of magnetic fields
Magnetic activity drives influx of matter. Phenomenon previously observed only in stars.
Spectral lines show magnetic funneling. Possible reorganization explains phase transition.
Spectroscopic data
X-shooter spectrometer on the VLT captured variations. JWST contributed PRISM and G140H/G235H.
Changes in Paschen-beta lines confirm active accretion. Comparisons before and during burst reveal chemical changes.
Cha 1107-7626 highlights blurred border between celestial categories. Discovery occurred via international collaboration led by Palermo Observatory.
