A view of the orbit of WASP-76b around its host star WASP-76

The ultra-hot giant exoplanet WASP-76b orbits the star WASP-76, located some 390 light-years away in the constellation of Pisces. This video shows the orbit of this strange planet around its host star. 

Like the Moon on its orbit around the Earth, WASP-76b is ‘tidally locked’: it takes as long to rotate around its axis as it does to go around the star. On its day side temperatures climb above 2400 degrees Celsius, high enough to vaporise metals. Strong winds carry iron vapour to the cooler night side where it condenses into iron droplets.

Credit:

ESO/L.Calçada/spaceengine.org

About the Video

Id:eso2005c
Release date:11 March 2020, 17:00
Related releases:eso2005
Duration:40 s
Frame rate:25 fps

About the Object

Name:WASP-76b
Type:Solar System : Star : Circumstellar Material : Planetary System
Category:Exoplanets
Stars

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