The Smallest Star in the Universe

Phil Plait discusses the discovery of the smallest star, 2MASS J0523-1403, by Georgia State University astronomers. This star is about 8,000 times dimmer and 8.6% as wide as the sun, fitting inside Jupiter. The video explains the challenges in distinguishing small stars from Brown dwarfs, which are failed stars unable to sustain nuclear fusion. The mass and temperature of these objects are key factors in their classification. The discovery of this star helps refine the criteria for differentiating stars from Brown dwarfs, with implications for understanding stellar evolution.

What is the name of the star that may be the smallest in the universe?

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What distinguishes a Brown dwarf from an actual star?

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How do scientists determine the identity of an object in space?

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What factors did scientists consider to conclude that the identified object is a star?

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What is the estimated mass limit that distinguishes a small star from a Brown dwarf?

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