Gas giant · GQ Lup

GQ Lup b

ExoplanetsDiscovered 2004

Scientific overview

GQ Lup b is a gas giant orbiting GQ Lup, about 493 light-years from Earth. It was discovered in 2004 using the direct imaging.

Host star

Spectral type

K7e V

Temperature

4,360 K

Mass

0.7 M☉

Discovery and detection

Detection method

Discovery year

2004

Very Large Telescope (VLT)

Knowledge connections

OrbitsGQ Lup
Discovered by methodDirect Imaging
Discovered atVery Large Telescope (VLT)
Catalogued inNASA Exoplanet Archive

Quick facts

Class: Gas giant
Host star: GQ Lup
Discovery method: Direct Imaging
Discovery year: 2004
Semi-major axis: 100 AU
Radius: 33.6 R⊕
Mass: 6356 M⊕
Density: 0.92 g/cm³ · derived
Equilibrium temp.: 2650 K
Distance: 493 ly

Density is derived from the archive mass and radius via ρ = M / (4⁄3·π·r³); all other values are catalogued measurements.

Derived values

Computed from source-backed inputs via standard formulae — not observations. Every input and constant is traced below.

Bulk density0.92 g/cm³derived
Formula & inputs
Formula: ρ = M / (4⁄3·π·r³) (v1.0.0, impl v1.0.0)
Inputs:
- massEarth = 6356 M⊕ · NASA
- radiusEarth = 33.6 R⊕ · NASA
Assumptions: M⊕ = 5.972e+24 kg, R⊕ = 6371000 m (IAU 2015 B3 nominal); Assumes a uniform sphere.
Limitations: Withheld above 30 g/cm³ (inconsistent mass/radius inputs).; Archive mass/radius carry no propagated uncertainty here.
Uncertainty: not propagated (inputs carry no catalogued uncertainty)
Computed as of 2026-06-29.

Quality & authority

Partial

Unreviewed

Description: Complete
Source coverage: Partial
Relationship coverage: Complete
Review coverage: None
Citation coverage: None
Image coverage: Not applicable

Data from the NASA Exoplanet Archive. See source quality.