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KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b

Cold Gas Giant Ophiuchus

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b is a cold gas giant orbiting KMT-2023-BLG-1642L in the constellation Ophiuchus. It lies about 22,766 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2024 using the microlensing method.

343×Earth mass
22,766 lyDistance
2024Discovered

Is KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b in the Habitable Zone?

The position of KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b relative to the habitable zone of KMT-2023-BLG-1642L cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.

Orbit and Year Length

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b orbits at an average distance of 1.410 AU.

How Was KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b Discovered?

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b was discovered in 2024 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-2023-BLG-1642L b?

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b is 22,765.7 light-years (6,980.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 22,766 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 400,676,320 years to make the journey.

The Host Star: KMT-2023-BLG-1642L

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L

Mass
0.17 M☉

Planetary System

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b is the only planet known to orbit KMT-2023-BLG-1642L so far.

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b — Complete Data

Mass343.25 Earth masses (1.080 Jupiter masses)
Orbital distance1.410 AU
Distance from Earth22,765.7 light-years (6,980.0 parsecs)
ConstellationOphiuchus
Discovery methodMicrolensing
Discovery facilityKMTNet
Discovery year2024

Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2024-04-19. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.

Frequently Asked Questions About KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b

Is KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b habitable?

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of KMT-2023-BLG-1642L, and as a cold gas giant it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.

How far away is KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b?

KMT-2023-BLG-1642L b is about 22,766 light-years from Earth in the constellation Ophiuchus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 400,676,320 years to get there.

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