Question

The object Gliese 229B glows in the infrared but is much cooler and dimmer than a class M star and shows traces of lithium that a normal star would quickly burn up in the nuclear reaction that occurs in its core. This object is most likely. True or False?

Answer 1

The object Gliese 229B is most likely a brown dwarf, which is an object that is cooler and dimmer than a class M star and does not undergo hydrogen fusion in its core. Brown dwarfs have atmospheric temperatures and spectra similar to true stars, but their spectral type changes over time as they cool.

Step-by-step explanation:

The object Gliese 229B is most likely a brown dwarf. Brown dwarfs are objects with masses that are intermediate between stars and planets. They are not hot and dense enough in their interiors to undergo hydrogen fusion, so they do not derive 100% of their energy from the same process that makes the Sun shine.

Brown dwarfs have atmospheric temperatures and spectra that are similar to true stars with spectral classes of M6.5 and later. They cool steadily throughout their lifetimes and their spectral type changes over time, from late M through L, T, and Y spectral types. Therefore, Gliese 229B, being cooler and dimmer than a class M star, with traces of lithium that a normal star would quickly burn up, fits the characteristics of a brown dwarf.