description WASP-43b Overview
WASP-43b is a hot Jupiter exoplanet discovered in 2011 by the Wide Angle Search for Planets survey. It orbits an active K-type orange dwarf star located approximately 80 light-years from Earth. The planet is notable for its extremely close orbit, completing a full revolution around its host star in just 19.5 hours. Because of this tight orbit, WASP-43b is tidally locked, meaning one side perpetually faces the star, resulting in extreme temperature differences between its permanent day and night sides.
help WASP-43b FAQ
How long does WASP-43b take to orbit its star?
WASP-43b completes an orbit in about 0.81 Earth days, or roughly 19.5 hours. Its orbit lies only about 0.014 astronomical units from its K-type host star.
Why is WASP-43b called a hot Jupiter?
It is a gas giant with roughly Jupiter-like scale but orbits extremely close to its star. NASA lists its mass at about 1.8 times Jupiter's, while the intense irradiation produces extreme atmospheric temperatures.
What did Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope study on WASP-43b?
Hubble observations mapped its temperature structure and detected water vapor in its atmosphere. Webb later observed the planet across an orbit to investigate its day-night temperatures, winds, and atmospheric chemistry.
Is WASP-43b tidally locked?
Scientists expect WASP-43b to be tidally locked because it circles so close to its star. This gives it a permanently illuminated dayside and a nightside, making it a useful target for studying heat transport by exoplanet winds.
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