description Pi Mensae b Overview
Pi Mensae b is a massive gas-giant exoplanet detected by the radial-velocity method and announced in 2001. It follows a long, highly eccentric orbit around Pi Mensae, a nearby G-type star, carrying it through a wide range of distances from its host. The system also contains the close-orbiting transiting planet Pi Mensae c, allowing astronomers to study two planets with markedly different sizes and orbital architectures around one star.
help Pi Mensae b FAQ
How was Pi Mensae b discovered?
Pi Mensae b was detected using the radial-velocity method, which measures a star's movement caused by an orbiting planet. Its discovery was announced in 2001.
What kind of planet is Pi Mensae b?
Pi Mensae b is a massive gas giant orbiting the G-type star Pi Mensae. It follows a long, highly eccentric orbit that carries it through a wide range of distances from the star.
What is unusual about Pi Mensae b's orbit?
Its orbit is highly eccentric rather than close to circular. That means the planet's distance from Pi Mensae changes substantially during one orbit.
Does the Pi Mensae system contain another planet?
Yes, the system also contains Pi Mensae c. Pi Mensae b is the more massive outer gas giant detected by radial velocity, while c is the other named planet in the system.
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