description Kepler-7b Overview
Kepler-7b is a transiting hot Jupiter discovered during NASA's Kepler mission. It has a large radius relative to its mass, giving it an unusually low average density, and it orbits very close to its host star. Measurements of changes in reflected starlight across its orbit revealed an unevenly bright dayside, interpreted as evidence for patchy, reflective clouds concentrated toward one side of the planet.
help Kepler-7b FAQ
Why does Kepler-7b have such a low density?
Kepler-7b has a large radius compared with its mass, giving it an unusually low average density for a gas giant. It is a transiting hot Jupiter that orbits very close to its host star.
How was Kepler-7b discovered?
NASA's Kepler mission found Kepler-7b through the transit method, by measuring repeated dips in the star's brightness. The planet's close orbit makes those transits occur frequently enough for detailed study.
What is unusual about Kepler-7b's atmosphere or light curve?
Measurements of reflected starlight across its orbit show that the planet does not reflect light uniformly. The changing brightness helped astronomers study its clouds and atmospheric circulation.
Is Kepler-7b a rocky planet?
No, Kepler-7b is a hot Jupiter, so it is a gas giant rather than a rocky world like Earth. Its low average density is consistent with a large hydrogen-rich planet.
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