Gliese 436 (Gl 436), is a dim 11th magnitude red dwarf star about 30 light years from Earth in the constellation of Leo. It is orbited by a low-mass planet.

Gliese 436 b

The planet, Gliese 436 b was discovered orbiting the star in 2004. It has a mass similar to Neptune's, but orbits very close to the star and may not be a small gas giant but a very massive terrestrial planet instead. It is one of the smallest extrasolar planets discovered so far. One orbit around the star takes only about 2 days 15.5 hours. The planet's surface temperature is high, but not as high as other planets in similar orbits because the star is so dim and cool.

See also

• List of stars with confirmed extrasolar planets

References

External links

• Scientists discover first of a new class of extrasolar planets – NASA Press Release (August 13, 2004)

Extrasolar planets | Leo constellation | Red dwarfs | HIP objects | Ross objects

GJ 436 | GJ 436