How Old Is WASP-12b?

Using the SOPHIE spectrograph, researchers were able to get high-resolution spectroscopy of WASP-12, a planet in a Sun-like star system. The planet is in a short-period orbit and has an average dayside temperature of 4,400 F.

The planet orbits at an extremely close distance, only 0.0234 AU from the star, which is only about 2% of the distance between Earth and the Sun. This close distance gives WASP-12b tremendous tidal forces. The tidal forces turn the orbital energy into heat. This results in a low albedo on the daylight side of WASP-12b.

The spectroscopic observations of WASP-12 have also provided strong evidence that the planet is going through an orbital decay. This decay is a clear indication that the planet is going into a spiral death dance toward its host star. This will eventually lead to its fiery death in three million years.

The orbital decay will help researchers learn more about how hot Jupiter exoplanets form. These close-in planets have not been observed undergoing an orbital decay before. But recently, timing analyses have provided strong evidence that WASP-12b is going through this decay. These timing analyses combine data from the TESS survey and archival data. These results will also help scientists determine the lifetime of hot Jupiter exoplanets.

WASP-12b is a hot Jupiter, and its orbit is very tight. This planet has the shortest orbital period of any transiting exoplanet. It completes one orbit around the star every 26 hours.

Continue reading:

How Fast Can Wasps Stink? How Can Wasps Survive in Cold Weather? How Do Wasps Take Over Bee Nests? Why Do Wasps Come Out in Fall? How to Prevent Wasps From Building a Nest How to Get Rid of Wasps Bees and Wasps – Are Bees and Wasps in the Same Insect Family? Where Do Wasps Go in the Winter in Canada?