Wendelstein-1 b
Wendelstein-1 b is a hot Jupiter orbiting the K7 V star Wendelstein-1 in the constellation Sagitta. It lies about 996 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2020 using the transit method.
How Big Is Wendelstein-1 b?
Wendelstein-1 b has a radius of 11.56 times that of Earth, or 1.03 times the radius of Jupiter. Its mass is 188 times that of Earth, giving it a density of 0.72 g/cm³ — closer to gas planets like Jupiter (1.33 g/cm³).
Is Wendelstein-1 b in the Habitable Zone?
Wendelstein-1 b orbits inside the inner edge of the habitable zone of Wendelstein-1. So close to its star, surface conditions are far too hot for liquid water.
Habitable zone of Wendelstein-1: 0.266–0.665 AU (conservative: 0.337–0.631 AU), per Kopparapu et al. (2014). Earth orbits the Sun at 1 AU.
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Temperature on Wendelstein-1 b
The equilibrium temperature of Wendelstein-1 b is about 2,198 K (1,925 °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 Wendelstein-1 b — one full orbit around Wendelstein-1 — lasts 2.66 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year. It orbits at an average distance of 0.028 AU — closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun. Its orbit is nearly circular (eccentricity 0.012).
How Was Wendelstein-1 b Discovered?
Wendelstein-1 b was discovered in 2020 using the transit method, with observations from Haleakala Observatory.
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 Wendelstein-1 b?
Wendelstein-1 b is 995.8 light-years (305.3 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet around the year 1031. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 17,526,080 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. Wendelstein-1 b scores 0.08, ranking #4,603 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: Wendelstein-1
Wendelstein-1
- Spectral type
- K7 V
- Surface temperature
- 4,251 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 0.65 M☉
- Radius
- 0.61 R☉
Planetary System
Wendelstein-1 b is the only planet known to orbit Wendelstein-1 so far.
Wendelstein-1 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 11.561 Earth radii (1.031 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 188.16 Earth masses (0.592 Jupiter masses) |
| Density | 0.72 g/cm³ (Earth: 5.51) |
| Orbital period | 2.66 days |
| Orbital distance | 0.028 AU |
| Eccentricity | 0.012 |
| Equilibrium temperature | 2,198 K (1,925 °C) |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.08 |
| Distance from Earth | 995.8 light-years (305.3 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Sagitta |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | Haleakala Observatory |
| Discovery year | 2020 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2020-07-02. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wendelstein-1 b
Is Wendelstein-1 b habitable?
No — Wendelstein-1 b orbits too close to its star and is too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface.
How far away is Wendelstein-1 b?
Wendelstein-1 b is about 996 light-years from Earth in the constellation Sagitta. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 17,526,080 years to get there.
How big is Wendelstein-1 b compared to Earth?
Wendelstein-1 b has 11.56 times the radius of Earth and about 188 times its mass.
How long is a year on Wendelstein-1 b?
One orbit around Wendelstein-1 takes 2.7 Earth days — short enough that 137 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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