GJ 1214 b

GJ 1214 b Image

Description: GJ 1214 b is an exoplanet that orbits the star GJ 1214, and was discovered in December 2009. Its parent star is 48 light-years (15 pc) from the Sun, in the constellation Ophiuchus. At the time of its discovery, GJ 1214 b was the most likely known candidate for being an ocean planet. For that reason, scientists at that time often called the planet a "waterworld". However, a recent study of the planet's internal structure informed by observations taken with the James Webb Space Telescope suggests that a "waterworld" composition is implausible and the planet is more likely to host a thick gaseous envelope consisting of hydrogen, helium, water and other volatile chemicals such as methane or carbon dioxide.

Physical Properties

Mass (Jupiter mass): 0.0264608191551613 MJ

Radius (Jupiter radius): 0.244 RJ

Density: 2.26 g/cm³

Equilibrium Temperature: 567.0 K

Orbital Parameters

Orbital Period: 1.58040453 days

Semi-major Axis: 0.01505 AU

Eccentricity: 0.0062

Inclination: 88.98°

Host Star Properties

Host Star: GJ 1214

Spectral Type: M4 V

Temperature: 3101.0 K

Stellar Mass: 0.18 M

Stellar Radius: 0.22 R

Discovery Information

Planet Letter: b

Object ID: 3.10969

Host ID: 2.10127

Discovery Date: 2009-12

Discovery Year: 2009

Discovery Method: Transit

Discovery Locale: Ground

Discovery Facility: MEarth Project

Discovery Instrument: Apogee CCD Sensor

Back to List