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MOA-2008-BLG-310L b

Neptune-like Scorpius

MOA-2008-BLG-310L b is a Neptune-like planet orbiting MOA-2008-BLG-310L in the constellation Scorpius. It lies about 25,114 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2009 using the microlensing method.

23.4×Earth mass
25,114 lyDistance
2009Discovered

Is MOA-2008-BLG-310L b in the Habitable Zone?

The position of MOA-2008-BLG-310L b relative to the habitable zone of MOA-2008-BLG-310L cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.

Orbit and Year Length

MOA-2008-BLG-310L b orbits at an average distance of 1.100 AU — comparable to the inner Solar System.

How Was MOA-2008-BLG-310L b Discovered?

MOA-2008-BLG-310L b was discovered in 2009 using the microlensing method, with observations from MOA.

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 MOA-2008-BLG-310L b?

MOA-2008-BLG-310L b is 25,114.0 light-years (7,700.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 25,114 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 442,006,400 years to make the journey.

The Host Star: MOA-2008-BLG-310L

MOA-2008-BLG-310L

Mass
0.21 M☉

Planetary System

MOA-2008-BLG-310L b is the only planet known to orbit MOA-2008-BLG-310L so far.

MOA-2008-BLG-310L b — Complete Data

Mass23.40 Earth masses (0.074 Jupiter masses)
Orbital distance1.100 AU
Distance from Earth25,114.0 light-years (7,700.0 parsecs)
ConstellationScorpius
Discovery methodMicrolensing
Discovery facilityMOA
Discovery year2009

Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2019-12-05. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.

Frequently Asked Questions About MOA-2008-BLG-310L b

Is MOA-2008-BLG-310L b habitable?

MOA-2008-BLG-310L b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of MOA-2008-BLG-310L, and as a Neptune-like planet it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.

How far away is MOA-2008-BLG-310L b?

MOA-2008-BLG-310L b is about 25,114 light-years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 442,006,400 years to get there.

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