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Mini-Neptune · GJ 581

GJ 581 c

ExoplanetsHabitable-zone candidateDiscovered 2007

Scientific overview

GJ 581 c is a mini-neptune orbiting GJ 581, completing an orbit every 13 days, about 21 light-years from Earth. It was discovered in 2007 using the radial velocity method.

Host star

Host star
Gliese 581
Spectral type
M3.0 V
Temperature
3,500 K
Mass
0.295 M☉

Planetary system — GJ 581 system

View the GJ 581 system (3 known planets).

PlanetRadius (R⊕)Period (d)
GJ 581 eRadial Velocity · 20091.383.1481
GJ 581 bRadial Velocity · 20054.795.3686
GJ 581 cRadial Velocity · 20072.512.9211

Discovery and detection

Habitability notes

GJ 581 c lies in the habitable zone of its star, the range of orbits where liquid water could in principle exist on a planet's surface. This makes it a candidate of interest for habitability studies — but lying in the habitable zone is not evidence that the planet is habitable or inhabited; its atmosphere and surface conditions remain unknown.

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