description WASP-12 Overview
WASP-12 is a star in the constellation Auriga that hosts WASP-12b, a hot Jupiter exoplanet with an orbital period of approximately one Earth day. The planet is being tidally disrupted by gravitational forces from its host star, causing material to stream from the planet and be accreted by the star. WASP-12b was discovered by the WASP (Wide Angle Search for Planets) project, a UK-based consortium that surveys for transiting exoplanets using automated telescope arrays. The tidal disruption of WASP-12b is a relatively rare observed phenomenon, making the system a significant target for astrophysical study.
insights Ranking position
WASP-12 ranks #95 of 212 in the Star ranking, behind Kochab, ahead of Mirfak.
help WASP-12 FAQ
Why is WASP-12b being pulled apart by its star?
WASP-12b orbits extremely close to WASP-12, completing a circuit in about 1.09 days. Strong tidal forces distort the hot Jupiter and appear to strip material from its outer atmosphere.
Is WASP-12b actually falling into WASP-12?
Timing measurements show that the planet's orbit is shrinking, consistent with tidal orbital decay. Astronomers therefore expect WASP-12b eventually to be destroyed or consumed, although that process is not occurring on a human timescale.
Why is WASP-12b described as unusually dark?
Hubble observations indicate that its visible-light dayside reflects very little incoming starlight. Its intensely heated atmosphere absorbs much of that light, making it closer to fresh asphalt than a bright cloud-covered planet.
Can amateur astronomers observe WASP-12b transiting?
The planet cannot be resolved separately, but capable amateurs can record the small dip in WASP-12's brightness during a transit. Doing so requires accurate timing, stable photometry, and a telescope-camera setup sensitive enough for the host star.
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