description Gliese 436 Overview
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Gliese 436 ranks #104 of 217 in the Star ranking, behind Porrima, ahead of Wezen.
Warm Neptune host with famous evaporating atmosphere, good exoplanet-characterization reputation.
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What is so unusual about the exoplanet Gliese 436b?
Gliese 436b is a Neptune-sized exoplanet famous for its comet-like tail of escaping hydrogen gas. This massive exosphere was discovered using the Hubble Space Telescope.
What type of star does Gliese 436b orbit?
The exoplanet orbits Gliese 436, a cool red dwarf star located about 33 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo. It is a relatively close stellar neighbor in our local region of the galaxy.
Why does Gliese 436b have a comet-like tail?
The intense radiation from the host red dwarf star heats the exoplanet's atmosphere, causing the hydrogen gas to expand and escape the planet's gravity. This constant evaporation creates a massive, comet-like cloud of gas trailing the planet.
When was the Gliese 436 planetary system discovered?
The exoplanet Gliese 436b was discovered in 2004 using the radial velocity method. Its discovery was a significant milestone in identifying Neptune-mass planets orbiting close to red dwarf stars.
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