2M1207

2M1207 is a young brown dwarf in the TW Hydrae Association, the constellation Hydra, which is accompanied by an object with about 4 Jupiter masses. The companion with the systematic name 2M1207 b is considered as the first object of planetary mass, from which a direct photo could be made. In order to delineate its companion the brown dwarf is also known as 2M1207 A.

Main component

2M1207 was discovered in 2004 and then for the first time being, according to the 2MASS rules, " 2MASSW J1207334 - 393 254 " called. As a member of the TW Hydrae Association - 2M1207 is also referred to as TWA 27.

2M1207 is about 170 light years from Earth and has about 25 Jupiter masses. He belongs to the spectral class M8 and its age is estimated at 8 million years.

The companion

2M1207 b was the first exoplanet that could be perceived directly by optical means ( via " Direct Imaging " ), and thus offers the possibility of a direct spectroscopic investigation. The planet was discovered in 2004 at the brown dwarf 2M1207, thus increasing its systematic name " 2M1207 b " returned.

The planet has about four times the mass of Jupiter and is therefore classified as a gas giant. The diameter of the planet is 214,000 kms around 50 % larger than that of Jupiter. The distance between companions and brown dwarf is about 40 AU.