Fot.: © J. Skowron, K. Ulaczyk / OGLE
An international team of astronomers, with a leading contribution from scientists at the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw, has achieved a breakthrough in exoplanet research. For the first time in history, researchers have directly measured the mass of a so-called free-floating planet—an object not gravitationally bound to any star, wandering alone through the Milky Way.
The results of the study were published on 1 January in the prestigious scientific journal Science. This milestone provides definitive confirmation of the existence of free-floating planets and demonstrates that their physical properties can be measured with high precision.
Among the authors of the study is Dr hab. Radosław Poleski from the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Warsaw, a laureate of the Polskie Powroty (Polish Returns) programme. The discovery is widely regarded as one of the most important achievements in astronomy of the past decade, opening a new chapter in the study of planetary formation and evolution beyond traditional star–planet systems.
Fot.: © J. Skowron, K. Ulaczyk / OGLE
Free-floating planets are believed to form either as a result of gravitational ejection from young planetary systems or through processes similar to star formation, but without accumulating enough mass to ignite nuclear fusion. Until now, their elusive nature made detailed study extremely challenging. The ability to directly determine their mass marks a major step forward in understanding these solitary wanderers of our galaxy.
We invite readers to revisit a podcast featuring Dr hab. Radosław Poleski, in which he discusses his observations and research on free-floating planets, offering insights into both the scientific process and the broader significance of this discovery.
Photo: © J. Skowron, K. Ulaczyk / OGLE
