Scientists have uncovered new details about the celestial object known as 2MASS J02495639−0557352 (M6 VL-G). This object is found in the Beta Pictoris (β Pic) moving group, a collection of young stars moving together. This moving group is named for the Beta Pictoris, which hosts the young gas giant planet, β Pic b. The β Pic moving group is a prime target for direct imaging of extrasolar planets due to the group’s age and relative proximity to the Earth. In fact, β Pic b has been directly imaged using a technique known as Reference Star Differential Imaging (RSDI). This was the first direct image of a planet orbiting as close to its host star as Saturn orbits the Sun.

Scientists have now discovered evidence of a giant exoplanet orbiting another object known as 2MASS J02495639−0557352. The planet (dubbed 2MASS J0249−0557 c) is estimated to be 11.6-Jupiter-masses, and has properties comparable to the planet β Pic b. In the future, direct imaging of 2MASS J0249−0557 c could provide a comparison of two planets with similar traits, and a unique opportunity to measure objects of planetary-mass that were built from similar starting material.