WASP-140 b
WASP-140 b is a hot Jupiter orbiting the K0 star WASP-140 in the constellation Eridanus. It lies about 384 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2016 using the transit method.
How Big Is WASP-140 b?
WASP-140 b has a radius of 14.24 times that of Earth, or 1.27 times the radius of Jupiter.
Is WASP-140 b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of WASP-140 b relative to the habitable zone of WASP-140 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Temperature on WASP-140 b
The equilibrium temperature of WASP-140 b is about 1,270 K (997 °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.
How Was WASP-140 b Discovered?
WASP-140 b was discovered in 2016 using the transit method, with observations from SuperWASP-South.
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 WASP-140 b?
WASP-140 b is 383.6 light-years (117.6 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet around the year 1643. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 6,751,360 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. WASP-140 b scores 0.06, ranking #5,172 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: WASP-140
WASP-140 b belongs to a system of 2 stars; it orbits WASP-140.
WASP-140
- Spectral type
- K0
- Surface temperature
- 5,300 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
Planetary System
WASP-140 b is the only planet known to orbit WASP-140 so far.
WASP-140 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 14.235 Earth radii (1.270 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.58 g/cm³ (Earth: 5.51) |
| Equilibrium temperature | 1,270 K (997 °C) |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.06 |
| Distance from Earth | 383.6 light-years (117.6 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Eridanus |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | SuperWASP-South |
| Discovery year | 2016 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2025-12-18. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About WASP-140 b
Is WASP-140 b habitable?
WASP-140 b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of WASP-140, and as a hot Jupiter it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is WASP-140 b?
WASP-140 b is about 384 light-years from Earth in the constellation Eridanus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 6,751,360 years to get there.
How big is WASP-140 b compared to Earth?
WASP-140 b has 14.24 times the radius of Earth.