zoom_in Click to enlarge

Tau Bootis

▲ ▼

description Tau Bootis Overview

Tau Boötis is a binary star system in the constellation Boötes whose primary star is classified as an F-type star. Its importance in astronomy increased after the discovery announcement in 1996 of Tau Boötis b, a gas-giant exoplanet orbiting the primary at about 0.049 astronomical units and completing a circuit in roughly 3.3 days. The system is used in research on close-in giant planets, radial-velocity detection, stellar activity, and interactions between a star and its planet.

help Tau Bootis FAQ

What is Tau Boötis b?

Tau Boötis b is a gas-giant exoplanet orbiting the primary star in the Tau Boötis binary system. Its discovery was announced in 1996.

How close is Tau Boötis b to its star?

The planet orbits at about 0.049 astronomical units from Tau Boötis. It completes an orbit in approximately 3.3 days, making it a classic hot Jupiter.

How was Tau Boötis b discovered?

Astronomers detected it using the radial-velocity method, which measures the star's movement caused by the planet's gravity. NASA lists Tau Boötis b as a gas giant with an estimated mass of about 5.95 Jupiters.

Is Tau Boötis b in the habitable zone?

No, its orbit at 0.049 astronomical units is far too close to its F-type host star for Earth-like surface conditions. Its 3.3-day year also places it among the intensely heated hot Jupiters.

swap_horiz

Looking for Tau Bootis alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward