Corot 7b
Corot 7b
Corot 7b has a surface of molten lava due to its close proximity to its host star.
  • Corot 7b is 489 light years from Earth.
  • The planet was discovered in 2009 using the transit method of detection.
  • It was the first 'potentially' rocky planet to be detected outside our solar system.
  • There is one other confirmed planet in the Corot 7 system, which is possibly a gas giant similar in size to the planet Neptune.
  • Corot 7b orbits a yellow dwarf star similar to our own sun although it is slightly smaller and cooler.
  • The planet orbits so close to its parent star its surface has turned into molten lava.
  • Corot 7b is extremely hot with surface temperatures of around 2500C (4500F).
  • It is possible the planet may once have been a gas giant that strayed too close to its host star, evaporating its atmosphere leaving only the rocky core remaining.
  • Gas giant exoplanets that lose their atmosphere in such a way are classed as Chthonian planets, although Corot 7b is still classed as a Super Earth.
Corot 7b transiting its host star
An artist's impression of Corot 7b transiting its parent star.
Corot 7b Orbit
Corot 7b revolves around its host star at a distance of 1.6 million miles (2.6 million km), 22 times closer than Mercury orbits the sun, as a result of its close proximity it takes only 20.5 hours to make one complete orbit.
Corot 7b Atmosphere
If Corot 7b has any kind of atmosphere it would be extremely tenuous, most of its atmosphere would have been evaporated due to its extremely close promity to its host star.
Corot 7b Mass and Radius
Corot 7b is estimated to have a mass of around 5 to 8 times that of Earth. Due to the detection method its radius can be measured accurately at 1.58 times that of Earth. making it is one of the smallest exoplanets ever detected.
Corot 7b Statistics

Host Star: Gliese 581
Host Star Type: Yellow Dwarf - G Type Main Sequence
Host Star Mass: 93% of Sun
Constellation: Monoceros

Distance from Earth: 489 light years
Planets Detected in System: 2 confirmed

Discovery Date: 3rd February 2009
Detection Method: Transit Method
Exoplanet Type: Super Earth

Mass: 5 to 8 x Earth
Diameter: 1.58 x Earth

Distance from host star: 1.6 million miles (2.6 million km)
Orbital Period: 20.5 hours

Atmosphere: Tenuous, probably mostly composed of sodium
Temperature: Maximum temperatures of around 2500C (4500F)
Gravity: Unknown

Possibility of Life: None.