HD 189733 b facts for kids
HD 189733 b is a fascinating exoplanet. This means it's a planet that orbits a star outside our own Solar System. It's about 64.5 light years away from Earth. That's a super long distance!
This amazing planet is known as a "hot Jupiter". It's a gas giant, much like Jupiter in our solar system, but it orbits extremely close to its star. HD 189733 b is found in the constellation of Vulpecula, which means "little fox".
Scientists discovered HD 189733 b on October 5, 2005. It orbits a star named HD 189733. This exoplanet is quite massive, about 13% heavier than our own Jupiter. It completes one orbit around its star incredibly fast, taking only 2.2 Earth days! Imagine a year lasting less than three days. Because it orbits so quickly, it travels at an amazing speed of 152.5 kilometers per second (that's over 341,000 miles per hour!).
Exploring HD 189733 b's Atmosphere
Scientists have learned a lot about HD 189733 b, even though it's so far away. They use powerful telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope to study its atmosphere. In 2013, the Hubble Space Telescope confirmed that this planet appears deep blue. This isn't because of oceans like on Earth, but likely due to silicate particles in its atmosphere. These particles scatter blue light, making the planet look blue.
The atmosphere of HD 189733 b is very extreme. It's incredibly hot, with temperatures reaching over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,800 degrees Fahrenheit). This heat causes the planet's atmosphere to evaporate quickly into space. Scientists have even detected glass rain on this planet! Imagine tiny shards of glass falling from the sky, blown sideways by incredibly strong winds.
Why is HD 189733 b a "Hot Jupiter"?
A "hot Jupiter" is a type of exoplanet that is similar in size to Jupiter but orbits very close to its star. This close orbit makes them extremely hot. HD 189733 b is a perfect example of this type of planet. Its short orbital period and high temperatures are typical for hot Jupiters.
Studying planets like HD 189733 b helps scientists understand how different planetary systems form and evolve. It shows us that planets can exist in many different and extreme environments, very different from what we see in our own solar system.
Images for kids
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An artist's conception of HD 189733 b following the 2013 confirmation of the planet's blue color by the Hubble Space Telescope. The appearance of HD 189733 b beyond the blue color is unknown.
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An artist's impression of HD 189733 b showing rapid evaporation of the atmosphere
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NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program "travel poster" for HD 189733 b
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Comparison of "hot Jupiter" exoplanets (artist concept). From top left to lower right: WASP-12b, WASP-6b, WASP-31b, WASP-39b, HD 189733b, HAT-P-12b, WASP-17b, WASP-19b, HAT-P-1b and HD 209458b.
