K2-2016-BLG-0005L b
K2-2016-BLG-0005L b is a cold gas giant orbiting K2-2016-BLG-0005L in the constellation Sagittarius. It lies about 16,960 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2023 using the microlensing method.
Is K2-2016-BLG-0005L b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of K2-2016-BLG-0005L b relative to the habitable zone of K2-2016-BLG-0005L cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Orbit and Year Length
A year on K2-2016-BLG-0005L b — one full orbit around K2-2016-BLG-0005L — lasts 4,700.0 Earth days, longer than Jupiter's 12-year orbit. It orbits at an average distance of 4.160 AU.
How Was K2-2016-BLG-0005L b Discovered?
K2-2016-BLG-0005L b was discovered in 2023 using the microlensing method, with observations from K2.
Gravitational microlensing detects a planet when its host star passes in front of a more distant background star, and the planet's gravity adds a brief, telltale spike to the magnified starlight. It can find planets thousands of light-years away.
How Far Away Is K2-2016-BLG-0005L b?
K2-2016-BLG-0005L b is 16,960.1 light-years (5,200.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 16,960 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 298,497,760 years to make the journey.
The Host Star: K2-2016-BLG-0005L
K2-2016-BLG-0005L
- Mass
- 0.58 M☉
Planetary System
K2-2016-BLG-0005L b is the only planet known to orbit K2-2016-BLG-0005L so far.
K2-2016-BLG-0005L b — Complete Data
| Mass | 349.61 Earth masses (1.100 Jupiter masses) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 4,700.00 days |
| Orbital distance | 4.160 AU |
| Distance from Earth | 16,960.1 light-years (5,200.0 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Discovery method | Microlensing |
| Discovery facility | K2 |
| Discovery year | 2023 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2023-05-03. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About K2-2016-BLG-0005L b
Is K2-2016-BLG-0005L b habitable?
K2-2016-BLG-0005L b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of K2-2016-BLG-0005L, and as a cold gas giant it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is K2-2016-BLG-0005L b?
K2-2016-BLG-0005L b is about 16,960 light-years from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 298,497,760 years to get there.
How long is a year on K2-2016-BLG-0005L b?
One orbit around K2-2016-BLG-0005L takes 4,700.0 Earth days.
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