bet Pic b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
bet Pic b is a confirmed gas giant exoplanet orbiting the star bet Pic, located approximately 64.4 light-years (19.74 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2008 by Paranal Observatory using the Imaging detection technique (resolved directly via high-contrast coronagraphic or interferometric imaging), this world measures 18.495 Earth radii (1.65 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 2765.107 Earth masses (8.7 Jupiter masses). Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.41 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 8.08 g⊕ (79.24 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 136.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around bet Pic, bet Pic b completes one full revolution every 8682 Earth days (23.77Julian years) at a semi-major axis of 10.07 AU (a wide outer-system orbit beyond Jupiter's 5.20 AU distance in our Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 12.6 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). Its moderate orbital eccentricity of e = 0.105 carries the world between 9.0127 AU at periapsis and 11.1274 AU at apoapsis, driving measurable seasonal insolation cycles.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 1612 K (+1339°C / +2442°F) and receiving 0.09 S⊕ (~120 W/m²), bet Pic b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star bet Pic is classified as a luminous A-type star of spectral type A6 V with an effective photospheric temperature of 8,039 K, a radius of 1.5442 R☉, a mass of 1.789 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 8.935 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.023 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.21 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, bet Pic shines at apparent V-band magnitude 3.85 (visible to the unaided human eye under dark skies) in the Southern celestial hemisphere. The bet Pic system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with bet Pic b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside bet Pic c, bet Pic d.
Methodology: Computed using the Schulze-Makuch et al. (2011) weighted metric comparing physical interior (radius, estimated density) and surface thermal regime (escape velocity, equilibrium temperature).
Discovery Facility: Paranal Observatory · Catalogue Source: NASA Exoplanet Archive (IPAC / Caltech).
☀️ Host Star Telemetry
| Host Star Name | bet Pic |
| Spectral Type | A6 V |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 8,039 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.5442 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.7890 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 8.935 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.210 dex |
| Stellar Age | 0.023 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 3.850 · G: 3.820 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 10.070000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 8682 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 12.6 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.10500 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.9930° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.41 g/cm³ (136.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 0.0885 S⊕ (~120 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 64.400 LY (19.744 pc) |