DENIS J1048−3956

DENIS J1048−3956 is an exceptionally small, dim ultra-cool red dwarf star 13.2 ly from Earth in the southern constellation of Antlia, among the stars closest to Earth. This star is very dim with an apparent magnitude of about 17, and requires a telescope with a camera to be seen. It was discovered in 2000 by Xavier Delfosse (Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, now Observatoire de Grenoble) and Thierry Forveille (Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope Corporation), with the assistance of nine other astronomers.

Kinematically, DENIS J1048−3956 belongs to the young thin disc. In 2005 a powerful flare from this object was detected by radio astronomy.

J1048 is a good example of the smallest, least massive stars possible. With a mass just 7.5% that of the Sun, it is barely large enough to sustain fusion in its core. In fact, it is so small, dim, and cool that it was originally thought to be a brown dwarf.