I think you may be on to something, Herr docktor.
Posted on 07/23/2002 2:37:25 PM PDT by gcruse
OBSERVING 'WEATHER' ON BROWN DWARFS
Brown dwarfs, which have been described as "failed stars," are celestial bodies more massive than planets like Jupiter but not large enough to sustain the nuclear reactions that make stars shine. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis report brown dwarfs may have something else in common with Jupiter -- changing weather patterns. Although brown dwarfs do not have conventional atmospheres, they do exhibit conditions on their surfaces that resemble fog and clouds, but made up of a form of liquid iron. Analyzing data from several brown dwarfs, researchers found evidence the objects undergo sort of a change from "clear" to "cloudy."
They theorize heating and cooling of brown dwarfs create the same dynamics that cause the atmospheric weather patterns on Jupiter. On the dwarfs, the "storms" might sweep the iron clouds aside periodically, allowing infrared light trapped below to escape. This might explain the bizarre "brightening" effect sometimes observed in the dwarfs as they age.
I think you may be on to something, Herr docktor.
> snicker! <
they do exhibit conditions on their surfaces that resemble fog and clouds, but made up of a form of liquid iron.Gee, and I thought the atmosphere in Los Angeles was as bad as it got.
They collapse into brown holes, of course.
Bad? Hey, I ain't breathin' nothin' I can't see!
Old dwarf ping.
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