Luhman 16 b
Luhman 16 b is a exoplanet orbiting Luhman 16 A in the constellation Vela. It was discovered in 2017 using the imaging method.
Is Luhman 16 b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of Luhman 16 b relative to the habitable zone of Luhman 16 A cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Orbit and Year Length
A year on Luhman 16 b — one full orbit around Luhman 16 A — lasts 9,697.0 Earth days, longer than Jupiter's 12-year orbit. It orbits at an average distance of 3.520 AU. Its orbit is highly elliptical (eccentricity 0.34), swinging dramatically closer to and farther from its star.
How Was Luhman 16 b Discovered?
Luhman 16 b was discovered in 2017 using the imaging method, with observations from Multiple Observatories.
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.
The Host Star: Luhman 16 A
Luhman 16 A
- Mass
- 0.03 M☉
Planetary System
Luhman 16 b is the only planet known to orbit Luhman 16 A so far.
Luhman 16 b — Complete Data
| Mass | 9,344.16 Earth masses (29.400 Jupiter masses) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 9,697.00 days |
| Orbital distance | 3.520 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.344 |
| Constellation | Vela |
| Discovery method | Imaging |
| Discovery facility | Multiple Observatories |
| Discovery year | 2017 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2024-04-10. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luhman 16 b
Is Luhman 16 b habitable?
Luhman 16 b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of Luhman 16 A.
How long is a year on Luhman 16 b?
One orbit around Luhman 16 A takes 9,697.0 Earth days.
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