This artist's concept shows what the exoplanet WASP-17 b could look like.
WASP-17 b, also called Ditsö̀, is a hot gas giant that orbits its star at a distance of just 0.051 AU (about 4.75 million miles, or one-eighth the distance between Mercury and the Sun), completing one full circuit in about 3.7 Earth-days. The system lies within the Milky Way, about 1,300 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Scorpius.
With a volume more than seven times that of Jupiter and a mass less than one-half of Jupiter, WASP-17 b is an extremely puffy planet. Its short orbital period, large size, and thick, extended atmosphere make it ideal for observation using transmission spectroscopy, which involves measuring the effects of the planet’s atmosphere on the starlight filtering through it.
WASP-17 b’s atmosphere is composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, along with small amounts of water vapor and hints of carbon dioxide and other molecules. Observations of 5- to 12-micron infrared light from Webb's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) show that WASP-17 b’s atmosphere also contains clouds made of nanocrystals of quartz (SiO2).
WASP-17 b is tidally locked and has a retrograde orbit. Its temperature ranges from about 1,000 kelvins (1,350 degrees F or 725 degrees C) on the cooler nightside to nearly 2,000 kelvins (3,150 degrees F or 1,725 degrees C) on the side in permanent daylight.
The star, WASP-17 (also called Diwö), is an F-type star: slightly larger, more massive, hotter, and whiter than the Sun.
This artist’s concept is based on new data gathered by MIRI as well as previous observations from other ground- and space-based telescopes, including NASA’s Hubble and retired Spitzer space telescopes. Webb has not captured any images of the planet.
Credits
Artwork
NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)
| About The Object | |
|---|---|
| Object Name | WASP-17 b (also called Ditsö̀) |
| Object Description | Hot Jupiter Exoplanet |
| R.A. Position | 15h59m50.94s |
| Dec. Position | -28d03m42.46s |
| Constellation | Scorpius |
| Distance | 1,300 light-years (400 parsecs) |
| Dimensions | Diameter: 1.9 × Jupiter; Mass: 0.48 × Jupiter |
| About The Data | |
| Data Description | This is an artist's concept based on spectroscopic observations from Webb, Hubble, and Spitzer. There are no direct images of WASP-17 b. |
| About The Object | |
|---|---|
| Object Name | A name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object. |
| Object Description | The type of astronomical object. |
| R.A. Position | Right ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position. |
| Dec. Position | Declination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position. |
| Constellation | One of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears. |
| Distance | The physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs. |
| Dimensions | The physical size of the object or the apparent angle it subtends on the sky. |
| About The Data | |
| Data Description |
|
| Instrument | The science instrument used to produce the data. |
| Exposure Dates | The date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time. |
| Filters | The camera filters that were used in the science observations. |
| About The Image | |
| Image Credit | The primary individuals and institutions responsible for the content. |
| Publication Date | The date and time the release content became public. |
| Color Info | A brief description of the methods used to convert telescope data into the color image being presented. |
| Orientation | The rotation of the image on the sky with respect to the north pole of the celestial sphere. |
