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MOA-2011-BLG-262L b

Neptune-like Sagittarius

MOA-2011-BLG-262L b is a Neptune-like planet orbiting MOA-2011-BLG-262L in the constellation Sagittarius. It lies about 23,483 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2014 using the microlensing method.

17.0×Earth mass
23,483 lyDistance
2014Discovered

Is MOA-2011-BLG-262L b in the Habitable Zone?

The position of MOA-2011-BLG-262L b relative to the habitable zone of MOA-2011-BLG-262L cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.

Orbit and Year Length

MOA-2011-BLG-262L b orbits at an average distance of 0.950 AU — comparable to the inner Solar System.

How Was MOA-2011-BLG-262L b Discovered?

MOA-2011-BLG-262L b was discovered in 2014 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-2011-BLG-262L b?

MOA-2011-BLG-262L b is 23,483.2 light-years (7,200.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 23,483 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 413,304,320 years to make the journey.

The Host Star: MOA-2011-BLG-262L

MOA-2011-BLG-262L

Mass
0.11 M☉

Planetary System

MOA-2011-BLG-262L b is the only planet known to orbit MOA-2011-BLG-262L so far.

MOA-2011-BLG-262L b — Complete Data

Mass17.00 Earth masses (0.053 Jupiter masses)
Orbital distance0.950 AU
Distance from Earth23,483.2 light-years (7,200.0 parsecs)
ConstellationSagittarius
Discovery methodMicrolensing
Discovery facilityMOA
Discovery year2014

Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2020-03-13. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.

Frequently Asked Questions About MOA-2011-BLG-262L b

Is MOA-2011-BLG-262L b habitable?

MOA-2011-BLG-262L b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of MOA-2011-BLG-262L, and as a Neptune-like planet it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.

How far away is MOA-2011-BLG-262L b?

MOA-2011-BLG-262L b is about 23,483 light-years from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 413,304,320 years to get there.

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