70 Virginis B - Characteristics

Characteristics

70 Virginis b is a gas giant extrasolar planet that is 7.5 times the mass of Jupiter and is in an eccentric 116 day orbit about its host. Its surface gravity is expected to be about six to eight times that of Jupiter's. At the time of discovery in January 1996, it was believed that the star was only 29 ly away resulting in the star being less luminous based on its apparent magnitude. As a result the planet's orbit was thought to be in the habitable zone and the planet was nicknamed Goldilocks (not too cold or too hot).

The Hipparcos satellite later showed that the star was more distant from earth and therefore brighter resulting in the planet being too hot to be in the habitable zone.


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