WASP-121b is classified as a
"hot Jupiter", a type of exoplanet
that is similar in characteristics
to Jupiter but orbits very close
to it's star.
Where is WASP-121b located?
This exoplanet is located in the constellation Puppis,
approximately 850 light-years away from Earth.
What is unique about WASP-121b's orbit?
WASP-121b has a very close orbit
to its host star, completing
one orbit in just about
1.3 Earth days.
How does the temperature
on WASP-121b compare to other planets?
It has extremely high temperatures,
estimated to be over
2,500 degrees Celsius, making it
one of the hottest exoplanets known.
What is the size of WASP-121b
in comparison to Jupiter?
WASP-121b is approximately
1.8 times the size of Jupiter,
making it significantly larger than
our solar system's biggest planet.
What is notable about WASP-121b's atmosphere?
The planet's atmosphere contains
heavy metal gases like iron and magnesium,
which are escaping into space due to
extreme heat and close proximity
to it's star.
How was WASP-121b discovered?
It was discovered using the
Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) survey
in 2015.
What is the composition of
WASP-121b's host star?
The host star of WASP-121b is a
F-type main-sequence star,
which is larger and hotter than our Sun.
What does WASP-121b tell us
about tidal forces?
Due to it's close orbit, the planet
experiences strong tidal forces,
leading to a possible
"football" shape
rather than being perfectly
spherical.
What is the significance of
WASP-121b in exoplanet research?
Studying WASP-121b helps astronomers
understand atmospheric dynamics
in extremely hot environments
and contributes to the
knowledge of how planets
interact with their nearby stars.
