NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b: A Gas Giant Exoplanet
NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b is an intriguing exoplanet located in the constellation of Cancer. This gas giant was discovered in 2014 using the radial velocity method, which detects variations in a star’s velocity due to the gravitational pull of orbiting planets. Below is a detailed look at this fascinating exoplanet.
Distance from Earth
The exoplanet NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b lies approximately 2,847 light-years away from Earth, making it a distant celestial body in our galaxy. Its location in the constellation Cancer adds to the vastness and complexity of our understanding of the universe.
Stellar Magnitude
The star around which NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b orbits has a stellar magnitude of 14.569. This indicates that the star is relatively faint and difficult to observe with the naked eye from Earth. Stellar magnitude is a measure of the brightness of a celestial object, and higher values correspond to dimmer stars.
Planet Type
NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b is classified as a Gas Giant. Like Jupiter and Saturn in our solar system, gas giants are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium. These planets are characterized by thick atmospheres and massive sizes compared to terrestrial planets. The presence of gas giants outside our solar system adds insight into the variety of planetary types that exist in the universe.
Physical Characteristics
Mass
The mass of NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b is about 0.32 times the mass of Jupiter. While significantly smaller than Jupiter, it is still a substantial planet in terms of its mass. Its gravity and atmospheric conditions would be vastly different from that of Earth, contributing to its classification as a gas giant.
Radius
The radius of NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b is approximately 1.1 times the radius of Jupiter. This slight expansion of its size compared to Jupiter indicates that, although it is slightly larger, it may still have a relatively similar atmospheric structure and composition to our solar system’s gas giants.
Orbital Characteristics
Orbital Radius and Period
The orbital radius of NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b has not been precisely determined, as indicated by the nan (not a number) value. However, the planet’s orbital period is approximately 0.019 years, which equates to roughly 7 days. This suggests that NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b orbits very closely to its host star, completing its orbit in just under a week.
Eccentricity
The orbital eccentricity of NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b is 0.3, which means its orbit is moderately elliptical. An eccentricity of 0 indicates a perfectly circular orbit, while values approaching 1 represent more elongated orbits. The moderate eccentricity suggests that while the planet’s orbit is not perfectly circular, it remains relatively stable.
Detection Method: Radial Velocity
The discovery of NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b was made possible by the radial velocity method. This technique measures the subtle shifts in the motion of a star as it is influenced by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet. When a planet orbits a star, the star itself experiences a small, detectable wobble, which can be measured to determine the planet’s mass, orbit, and other characteristics.
Conclusion
NGC 2682 YBP 1194 b is a fascinating example of a gas giant located far beyond our solar system. Its close orbit around its host star, combined with its relatively large size and moderate orbital eccentricity, makes it an intriguing object of study. The use of the radial velocity method to detect exoplanets continues to provide valuable insights into the characteristics of distant planets, deepening our understanding of the diverse planetary systems in the universe.