NGTS-2 b
NGTS-2 b is a hot Jupiter orbiting the F5 V star NGTS-2 in the constellation Centaurus. It lies about 1,162 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2018 using the transit method.
How Big Is NGTS-2 b?
NGTS-2 b has a radius of 17.88 times that of Earth, or 1.60 times the radius of Jupiter. Its mass is 235 times that of Earth, giving it a density of 0.23 g/cm³ — closer to gas planets like Jupiter (1.33 g/cm³).
Is NGTS-2 b in the Habitable Zone?
NGTS-2 b orbits inside the inner edge of the habitable zone of NGTS-2. So close to its star, surface conditions are far too hot for liquid water.
Habitable zone of NGTS-2: 1.539–3.574 AU (conservative: 1.949–3.388 AU), per Kopparapu et al. (2014). Earth orbits the Sun at 1 AU.
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Temperature on NGTS-2 b
The equilibrium temperature of NGTS-2 b is about 1,468 K (1,195 °C) — hot enough to melt many metals. This estimate ignores any atmosphere, which could change surface temperatures dramatically — Earth's greenhouse effect adds about 33 °C.
Orbit and Year Length
A year on NGTS-2 b — one full orbit around NGTS-2 — lasts 4.51 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year. It orbits at an average distance of 0.063 AU — closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
How Was NGTS-2 b Discovered?
NGTS-2 b was discovered in 2018 using the transit method, with observations from Next-Generation Transit Survey (NGTS).
The transit method watches a star for the tiny, regular dip in brightness that occurs when a planet crosses in front of it. The depth and timing of these dips reveal the planet's size and orbital period.
How Far Away Is NGTS-2 b?
NGTS-2 b is 1,162.4 light-years (356.4 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 1,162 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 20,458,240 years to make the journey.
Earth Similarity Index
The Earth Similarity Index (ESI) scores how physically similar a planet is to Earth, from 0 to 1, based on radius, density, escape velocity and surface temperature. NGTS-2 b scores 0.05, ranking #5,258 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: NGTS-2
NGTS-2
- Spectral type
- F5 V
- Surface temperature
- 6,478 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 1.64 M☉
- Radius
- 1.70 R☉
- Age
- 2.2 billion years (Sun: 4.6)
Planetary System
NGTS-2 b is the only planet known to orbit NGTS-2 so far.
NGTS-2 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 17.878 Earth radii (1.595 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 235.19 Earth masses (0.740 Jupiter masses) |
| Density | 0.23 g/cm³ (Earth: 5.51) |
| Orbital period | 4.51 days |
| Orbital distance | 0.063 AU |
| Equilibrium temperature | 1,468 K (1,195 °C) |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.05 |
| Distance from Earth | 1,162.4 light-years (356.4 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Centaurus |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | Next-Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) |
| Discovery year | 2018 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2018-10-05. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About NGTS-2 b
Is NGTS-2 b habitable?
No — NGTS-2 b orbits too close to its star and is too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface.
How far away is NGTS-2 b?
NGTS-2 b is about 1,162 light-years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 20,458,240 years to get there.
How big is NGTS-2 b compared to Earth?
NGTS-2 b has 17.88 times the radius of Earth and about 235 times its mass.
How long is a year on NGTS-2 b?
One orbit around NGTS-2 takes 4.5 Earth days — short enough that 81 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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