description Wolf 503 b Overview
Wolf 503 b is a transiting exoplanet discovered in data from NASA's K2 mission. It orbits Wolf 503, a nearby K-type star, once every roughly six days and has a radius about twice Earth's. That size places it near the observed radius gap separating many smaller super-Earths from larger sub-Neptunes, making it useful for comparative studies of how close-in planets retain or lose their envelopes.
help Wolf 503 b FAQ
How was Wolf 503 b discovered?
Wolf 503 b was found in photometric data from NASA's K2 mission, which detected the planet transiting its K-type star. Its discovery was announced in 2018. [NASA Science](https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/wolf-503-b/)
How large is Wolf 503 b?
Wolf 503 b has a radius of about 2.04 Earth radii. Radial-velocity follow-up gives it a mass near 6.3 Earth masses, although its classification is based mainly on its size and bulk properties. [NASA Exoplanet Archive](https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/overview/Wolf%20503)
Why is Wolf 503 b important for studying the radius gap?
Its radius lies near the observed gap between many smaller super-Earths and larger sub-Neptunes. Measuring a planet near that boundary helps researchers test whether atmospheric loss or formation history creates the gap. [NASA Science](https://science.nasa.gov/?p=199880)
How long is a year on Wolf 503 b?
Wolf 503 b completes an orbit in about 6.001 days at roughly 0.057 astronomical units from its star. Wolf 503 is about 145 light-years away, making the system relatively nearby for follow-up observations. [NASA Exoplanet Archive](https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/overview/Wolf%20503)
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