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KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b

Cold Gas Giant Ophiuchus

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b is a cold gas giant orbiting KMT-2018-BLG-0087L in the constellation Ophiuchus. It lies about 22,896 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2022 using the microlensing method.

73.1×Earth mass
22,896 lyDistance
2022Discovered

Is KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b in the Habitable Zone?

The position of KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b relative to the habitable zone of KMT-2018-BLG-0087L cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.

Orbit and Year Length

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b orbits at an average distance of 0.870 AU — comparable to the inner Solar System.

How Was KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b Discovered?

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b was discovered in 2022 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-2018-BLG-0087L b?

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b is 22,896.2 light-years (7,020.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 22,896 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 402,973,120 years to make the journey.

The Host Star: KMT-2018-BLG-0087L

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L

Mass
0.10 M☉

Planetary System

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b is the only planet known to orbit KMT-2018-BLG-0087L so far.

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b — Complete Data

Mass73.10 Earth masses (0.230 Jupiter masses)
Orbital distance0.870 AU
Distance from Earth22,896.2 light-years (7,020.0 parsecs)
ConstellationOphiuchus
Discovery methodMicrolensing
Discovery facilityKMTNet
Discovery year2022

Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2023-04-10. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.

Frequently Asked Questions About KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b

Is KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b habitable?

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of KMT-2018-BLG-0087L, and as a cold gas giant it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.

How far away is KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b?

KMT-2018-BLG-0087L b is about 22,896 light-years from Earth in the constellation Ophiuchus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 402,973,120 years to get there.

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