GQ Lup b
GQ Lup b is a hot Jupiter orbiting the K7e V star GQ Lup in the constellation Lupus. It lies about 493 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2004 using the imaging method.
How Big Is GQ Lup b?
GQ Lup b has a radius of 33.60 times that of Earth, or 3.00 times the radius of Jupiter. Its mass is 6,356 times that of Earth.
Is GQ Lup b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of GQ Lup b relative to the habitable zone of GQ Lup cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Temperature on GQ Lup b
The equilibrium temperature of GQ Lup b is about 2,650 K (2,377 °C) — hot enough to melt many metals. This estimate ignores any atmosphere, which could change surface temperatures dramatically — Earth's greenhouse effect adds about 33 °C.
Orbit and Year Length
GQ Lup b orbits at an average distance of 100.000 AU.
How Was GQ Lup b Discovered?
GQ Lup b was discovered in 2004 using the imaging method, with observations from Paranal Observatory.
Direct imaging captures actual pictures of a planet by blocking out the overwhelming glare of its host star. It works best for young, hot, massive planets on wide orbits.
How Far Away Is GQ Lup b?
GQ Lup b is 493.0 light-years (151.2 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet around the year 1533. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 8,676,800 years to make the journey.
Earth Similarity Index
The Earth Similarity Index (ESI) scores how physically similar a planet is to Earth, from 0 to 1, based on radius, density, escape velocity and surface temperature. GQ Lup b scores 0.03, ranking #5,327 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: GQ Lup
GQ Lup
- Spectral type
- K7e V
- Mass
- 0.70 M☉
- Age
- 0.0 billion years (Sun: 4.6)
Planetary System
GQ Lup b is the only planet known to orbit GQ Lup so far.
GQ Lup b — Complete Data
| Radius | 33.600 Earth radii (3.000 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 6,356.00 Earth masses (20.000 Jupiter masses) |
| Orbital distance | 100.000 AU |
| Equilibrium temperature | 2,650 K (2,377 °C) |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.03 |
| Distance from Earth | 493.0 light-years (151.2 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Lupus |
| Discovery method | Imaging |
| Discovery facility | Paranal Observatory |
| Discovery year | 2004 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2014-05-14. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About GQ Lup b
Is GQ Lup b habitable?
GQ Lup b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of GQ Lup, and as a hot Jupiter it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is GQ Lup b?
GQ Lup b is about 493 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lupus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 8,676,800 years to get there.
How big is GQ Lup b compared to Earth?
GQ Lup b has 33.60 times the radius of Earth and about 6,356 times its mass.
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