description Gliese 876 c Overview
Gliese 876 c is a gas giant exoplanet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 876, located approximately 15 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius. Discovered in 2001 using the radial velocity method, it has a mass comparable to Jupiter and completes an orbit every 30 days. The planet is notable for being locked in a 2:1 orbital resonance with the outer planet Gliese 876 b, meaning it completes two orbits for every one orbit of its neighboring planet. It is part of a multi-planet system that has served as a key subject for studying planetary orbital dynamics.
help Gliese 876 c FAQ
How long is one year on Gliese 876 c?
Gliese 876 c completes an orbit around its star in roughly 30 days. That short year is caused by its close orbit around the red dwarf Gliese 876.
How far away is Gliese 876 c?
Gliese 876 c is in the Gliese 876 system, about 15 light-years from Earth in Aquarius. The distance refers to the star system, since the planet itself cannot be seen as a separate bright object from Earth.
How was Gliese 876 c discovered?
Astronomers discovered it in 2001 using the radial velocity method. This technique detects the small back-and-forth movement that a planet causes in its host star.
Is Gliese 876 c a rocky planet?
No, it is classified as a gas giant with a mass comparable to Jupiter. Its planetary type and close orbit make it very different from small rocky worlds such as Earth.
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