The planetary system in Gliese 581 (artist's impression)

Artist's impression of the planetary system around the red dwarf Gliese 581. Using the instrument HARPS on the ESO 3.6-metre telescope, astronomers have uncovered 3 planets, all of relative low-mass: 5, 8 and 15 Earth masses. The five Earth-mass planet (seen in foreground - Gliese 581 c) makes a full orbit around the star in 13 days, the other two in 5 (the blue, Neptunian-like planet - Gliese 581 b) and 84 days (the most remote one, Gliese 581 d).

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0722a
Type:Artwork
Release date:25 April 2007
Related releases:eso0722
Size:6000 x 4337 px

About the Object

Name:Gliese 581
Type:Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Planetary System
Distance:20 light years
Category:Exoplanets
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