WEB DESK: Astronomers have discovered the smallest star in our galaxy. A group of scientists from the University of Cambridge have detected the smallest star on 12 July.

The star is labeled as EBLM J0555-57Ab and located about 600 light-years away.

It is slightly larger than Saturn but smaller than Jupiter. But it is much more massive than Jupiter or Saturn. More mass means stronger gravity.

Even though, it is small but still can facilitate hydrogen fusion. The star is massive enough to fuse hydrogen into helium and become a true star.

“The smallest stars provide optimal conditions for the discovery of Earth-like planets, and for the remote exploration of their atmospheres,” Amaury Triaud of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy said. “However, before we can study planets, we absolutely need to understand their star; this is fundamental.”

Astronomers say that small, dim stars like EBLM J0555-57Ab are the best possible candidates for detecting Earth-sized exoplanets that might have liquid water on their surfaces.

Source: brg