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MOA-2011-BLG-291L b

Neptune-like Sagittarius

MOA-2011-BLG-291L b is a Neptune-like planet orbiting MOA-2011-BLG-291L in the constellation Sagittarius. It lies about 14,351 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2018 using the microlensing method.

18.0×Earth mass
14,351 lyDistance
2018Discovered

Is MOA-2011-BLG-291L b in the Habitable Zone?

The position of MOA-2011-BLG-291L b relative to the habitable zone of MOA-2011-BLG-291L cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.

Orbit and Year Length

MOA-2011-BLG-291L b orbits at an average distance of 0.690 AU — comparable to the inner Solar System.

How Was MOA-2011-BLG-291L b Discovered?

MOA-2011-BLG-291L b was discovered in 2018 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-291L b?

MOA-2011-BLG-291L b is 14,350.9 light-years (4,400.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 14,351 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 252,575,840 years to make the journey.

The Host Star: MOA-2011-BLG-291L

MOA-2011-BLG-291L

Mass
0.15 M☉

Planetary System

MOA-2011-BLG-291L b is the only planet known to orbit MOA-2011-BLG-291L so far.

MOA-2011-BLG-291L b — Complete Data

Mass18.00 Earth masses (0.057 Jupiter masses)
Orbital distance0.690 AU
Distance from Earth14,350.9 light-years (4,400.0 parsecs)
ConstellationSagittarius
Discovery methodMicrolensing
Discovery facilityMOA
Discovery year2018

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

Frequently Asked Questions About MOA-2011-BLG-291L b

Is MOA-2011-BLG-291L b habitable?

MOA-2011-BLG-291L b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of MOA-2011-BLG-291L, and as a Neptune-like planet it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.

How far away is MOA-2011-BLG-291L b?

MOA-2011-BLG-291L b is about 14,351 light-years from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 252,575,840 years to get there.

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