2M1207b

2M1207b is an extrasolar planet orbiting the brown dwarf 2M1207A, a star in the constellation Hydra approximately 200 light years from Earth. Notable as one of the first extrasolar planets to be directly observed (by infrared imaging), it was discovered in early 2005 by the Very Large Telescope at the Paranal Observatory in Chile by a team from European Southern Observatory led by Gael Chauvin. It is believed to be about five times the mass of Jupiter and orbits its sun at a distance nearly twice as far as Neptune is from the Earth's Sun.

Related Topics:
Extrasolar planet - Orbiting - Brown dwarf - 2M1207A - Star - Hydra - Light year - Infrared - 2005 - Very Large Telescope - Paranal Observatory - Chile - European Southern Observatory - Gael Chauvin - Jupiter - Neptune - Sun

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Provisionally named 2M1207b, the gas giant planet is, like its primary, very hot; the estimated surface temperature is roughly 1250 K (976°C or 1790°Fahrenheit). The planet's mass is about five times that of Jupiter, well below the calculated limit for deuterium fusion in brown dwarves, which is 10-13 Jupiter masses. The projected distance between 2M1207b and its primary is at least 55 AU, and possibly more, giving it an orbital period of no less than 2450 years. The infrared spectrum of the planet indicates the presence of water molecules in its atmosphere. The planet is not a likely candidate to support life, neither on its surface nor on any satellites.

Related Topics:
Gas giant - Planet - Primary - Temperature - K - C - Fahrenheit - Mass - Deuterium - Fusion - Distance - AU - Orbital period - Year - Water - Life - Satellite

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~