Gliese 667 Cb is an exoplanet orbiting the star Gliese 667 C, a member of the Gliese 667 triple-star system. It is the most massive planet discovered in the system and is likely a super-Earth or a mini-Neptune. Orbital-stability analysis indicates that it cannot be more than twice its minimum mass. It orbits too close to the star to be in the habitable zone and thus not suitable for life as we know it.[1] Eccentricity analysis indicates that Gliese 667 Cb is not a rocky planet.[2]

Gliese 667 Cb
Artist's impression of Gliese 667 Cb if rocky with the Gliese 667 AB binary in the background
Discovery
Discovery date2009
Radial velocity (European Southern Observatory)
Orbital characteristics
0.050432±0.000001 AU
Eccentricity0.112
7.2006 d
Inclination>30
Semi-amplitude3.8
StarGliese 667C
Physical characteristics
Mass5.94–~12 ME
Temperature473 K (200 °C; 392 °F)

The planet is likely to be tidally locked. Thus, one side of the planet is in permanent daylight and the other side in permanent darkness.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Anglada-Escudé, Guillem; et al. (7 June 2013). "A dynamically-packed planetary system around GJ 667C with three super-Earths in its habitable zone" (PDF). Astronomy & Astrophysics. 556: A126. arXiv:1306.6074. Bibcode:2013A&A...556A.126A. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201321331. S2CID 14559800. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  2. ^ "The high multiplicity systems Gliese 667C and KOI 3158". Second Kepler Science Conference. 5 November 2013. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Potentially Habitable Planets of Star Gliese 667C Explained (Infographic) - Space.com". Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2018.