OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b is a cold gas giant orbiting OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L in the constellation Scorpius. It lies about 25,603 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2026 using the microlensing method.
Is OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b relative to the habitable zone of OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Orbit and Year Length
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b orbits at an average distance of 0.720 AU — comparable to the inner Solar System.
How Was OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b Discovered?
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b was discovered in 2026 using the microlensing method, with observations from OGLE.
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 OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b?
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b is 25,603.2 light-years (7,850.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 25,603 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 450,616,320 years to make the journey.
The Host Star: OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L
- Mass
- 0.07 M☉
Planetary System
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b is the only planet known to orbit OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L so far.
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b — Complete Data
| Mass | 66.74 Earth masses (0.210 Jupiter masses) |
|---|---|
| Orbital distance | 0.720 AU |
| Distance from Earth | 25,603.2 light-years (7,850.0 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Scorpius |
| Discovery method | Microlensing |
| Discovery facility | OGLE |
| Discovery year | 2026 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2026-09-11. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b
Is OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b habitable?
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L, and as a cold gas giant it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b?
OGLE-2016-BLG-0261L b is about 25,603 light-years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 450,616,320 years to get there.
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