WASP-8b

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
WASP-8b
Exoplanet List of exoplanets
300px
Size comparison of WASP-8b with Jupiter.
Parent star
Star WASP-8
Constellation Sculptor
Right ascension (α) 23h 59m 36.07s
Declination (δ) −35° 01′ 52.9″
Apparent magnitude (mV) 9.9
Distance 160 ly
(49 pc)
Spectral type G6
Mass (m) 1.00+0.02
−0.03
 M
Orbital elements
Semi-major axis (a) 0.0793 AU
Orbital period (P) 8.16 d
Physical characteristics
Mass (m) 2.23 MJ
Radius (r) 1.17 RJ
Density (ρ) 1.85[1] g cm−3
Surface gravity (g) 4.30 g
Temperature (T) 950 (varies)[2]
Discovery information
Discovery date April 1, 2008
Discoverer(s) Cameron et al. (SuperWASP)
Discovery method Transit
Discovery status Confirmed

WASP-8b is an extrasolar planet discovered (with their stars) in the SuperWASP batch -6b to -15b. On 1 April 2008, Dr. Don Pollacco of Queen’s University Belfast announced them at the RAS National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2008).[3]

At 49 parsecs away, this system is the closest of the WASP-discovered systems: closer to Earth than are HD 17156 and HD 149026. It is denser than Jupiter. If it were possible to stand on its surface, one would experience a gravitational pull of approximately ​4 13g, resulting in difficulty breathing and eventual brain damage.

The planet orbits retrograde.[4][5]

The equilibrium temperature is 950 K, but this oscillates due to eccentricity.[2]

See also

References

  1. Density is calculated from the mass and the radius, assuming a circular disc of eclipse relative to the Earth.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Patricio Cubillos et al., "The Characterization of the Cool and Eccentric Exoplanet WASP-8b with Spitzer" in DPS Annual Meeting session "103.Extrasolar Planets: Atmospheric Chemistry and Characterization" (Monday, Oct 15, 2012, 11:40 AM -11:50 AM).
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: Sky map 23h 59m 36.07s, −35° 01′ 52.9″de:WASP-8 b