WD 1145+017 b
Exoplanetary object orbiting around WD 1145+017 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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WD 1145+017 b (also known by its EPIC designation EPIC 201563164.01), is a confirmed exoasteroid or minor planet orbiting around and being vaporized by the white dwarf star WD 1145+017, likely one of multiple such objects around this star.[1] It was discovered by NASA's Kepler spacecraft on its "Second Light" mission. It is located about 476 light-years (146 parsecs) away from Earth in the constellation of Virgo. The object was found by using the transit method, in which the dimming effect that a planet causes as it crosses in front of its star is measured.[1]
Discovery[1] | |
---|---|
Discovered by | K2 (Kepler) mission |
Discovery date | 21 October 2015 |
Transit method | |
Orbital characteristics | |
0.0054 AU | |
4.4989±0.0001 h[2] 0.187454(4) d | |
Star | WD 1145+017 |
Physical characteristics | |
Mean radius | ~200 km[2] |
Mass | ~0.000016 M🜨 (~0.1 MCeres)[2] |
The minor planet is notable because it is the first observed planetary object to transit a white dwarf, providing clues of its possible interactions when its parent star reached the end of its lifetime as a red giant. The object is also the least-massive exoplanetary object ever discovered, being about one-tenth the mass of the dwarf planet Ceres.[2]