KOINTREAU-3 b
KOINTREAU-3 b is a cold gas giant orbiting the K6-M1 star ISO-Oph 96 in the constellation Ophiuchus. It lies about 459 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2026 using the imaging method.
Is KOINTREAU-3 b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of KOINTREAU-3 b relative to the habitable zone of ISO-Oph 96 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Orbit and Year Length
KOINTREAU-3 b orbits at an average distance of 342.000 AU.
How Was KOINTREAU-3 b Discovered?
KOINTREAU-3 b was discovered in 2026 using the imaging method, with observations from W. M. Keck 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 KOINTREAU-3 b?
KOINTREAU-3 b is 458.5 light-years (140.6 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet around the year 1568. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 8,069,600 years to make the journey.
The Host Star: ISO-Oph 96
ISO-Oph 96
- Spectral type
- K6-M1
- Surface temperature
- 3,920 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Age
- 0.0 billion years (Sun: 4.6)
Planetary System
KOINTREAU-3 b is the only planet known to orbit ISO-Oph 96 so far.
KOINTREAU-3 b — Complete Data
| Mass | 1,080.62 Earth masses (3.400 Jupiter masses) |
|---|---|
| Orbital distance | 342.000 AU |
| Distance from Earth | 458.5 light-years (140.6 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
| Discovery method | Imaging |
| Discovery facility | W. M. Keck Observatory |
| Discovery year | 2026 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2026-02-26. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About KOINTREAU-3 b
Is KOINTREAU-3 b habitable?
KOINTREAU-3 b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of ISO-Oph 96, and as a cold gas giant it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is KOINTREAU-3 b?
KOINTREAU-3 b is about 459 light-years from Earth in the constellation Ophiuchus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 8,069,600 years to get there.