Planedo

Planedo is a term used to describe a hypothetical type of celestial body that is larger than a planet but smaller than a star. The concept of planedos is not widely recognized in mainstream astronomy, but it has been discussed in various scientific and speculative contexts. The term "planedo" is a portmanteau of "planet" and "star," reflecting its intermediate nature between these two types of celestial objects.

In the context of planetary formation, a planedo could potentially form through a process similar to that of planets, but with a significantly larger mass. This would allow it to retain a higher internal temperature and possibly even initiate nuclear fusion, although this is not guaranteed. The boundary between a planedo and a brown dwarf, which is a type of substellar object that is too small to sustain hydrogen fusion, is not clearly defined.

Planedos have been the subject of speculation in science fiction and theoretical astronomy. Some authors and scientists have proposed that planedos could exist in certain regions of the universe, such as in the disks of gas and dust around young stars. However, there is currently no observational evidence to support the existence of planedos.

The study of planedos is an active area of research in astrophysics, as it could provide insights into the processes of star and planet formation. However, the lack of observational data makes it difficult to confirm the existence of planedos or to understand their properties. As our understanding of the universe continues to evolve, the concept of planedos may become more or less relevant, depending on future discoveries and theoretical developments.