News Astronomy It’s a star, but not much of one By Ron Cowen March 29, 2005 at 4:15 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Astronomers have discovered the smallest star known, and it’s hardly bigger than Jupiter. SMALL FRY. A newfound, diminutive star (middle) is much smaller than the sun (left) and only slightly larger than Jupiter. ESO Researchers found the tiny star indirectly, through its interaction with a much larger star that it closely orbits.