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KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b

Cold Gas Giant Ophiuchus

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b is a cold gas giant orbiting KMT-2017-BLG-2509L in the constellation Ophiuchus. It lies about 22,961 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2021 using the microlensing method.

664×Earth mass
22,961 lyDistance
2021Discovered

Is KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b in the Habitable Zone?

The position of KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b relative to the habitable zone of KMT-2017-BLG-2509L cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.

Orbit and Year Length

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b orbits at an average distance of 2.140 AU.

How Was KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b Discovered?

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b was discovered in 2021 using the microlensing method, with observations from KMTNet.

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 KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b?

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b is 22,961.4 light-years (7,040.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 22,961 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 404,120,640 years to make the journey.

The Host Star: KMT-2017-BLG-2509L

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L

Mass
0.46 M☉

Planetary System

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b is the only planet known to orbit KMT-2017-BLG-2509L so far.

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b — Complete Data

Mass664.26 Earth masses (2.090 Jupiter masses)
Orbital distance2.140 AU
Distance from Earth22,961.4 light-years (7,040.0 parsecs)
ConstellationOphiuchus
Discovery methodMicrolensing
Discovery facilityKMTNet
Discovery year2021

Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2022-03-09. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.

Frequently Asked Questions About KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b

Is KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b habitable?

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of KMT-2017-BLG-2509L, and as a cold gas giant it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.

How far away is KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b?

KMT-2017-BLG-2509L b is about 22,961 light-years from Earth in the constellation Ophiuchus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 404,120,640 years to get there.

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