Gliese 687 C
Gliese 687, or GJ 687 (Gliese–Jahreiß 687) is a red dwarf in the constellation Draco. This is one of the closest stars to the Sun and lies at a distance of 14.84 light-years (4.55 parsecs). Even though it is close by, it has an apparent magnitude of about 9, so it can only be seen through a moderately sized telescope. Gliese 687 has a high proper motion, advancing 1.304 arcseconds per year across the sky. It has a net relative velocity of about 39 km/s. It is known to have a Neptune-mass planet. Old books and articles refer to it as Argelander Oeltzen 17415.
Properties
Gliese 687 has about 40% of the Sun's mass and nearly 50% of the Sun's radius. Compared to the Sun, it has a slightly higher proportion of elements with higher atomic numbers than helium. It seems to rotate every 60 days and exhibit some chromospheric activity.
It displays no excess of infrared radiation that would indicate orbiting dust.
Gliese 687 is a solitary red dwarf that emits X-rays.
Planetary system
In 2014, Gliese 687 was discovered to have a planet, Gliese 687 b, with a minimum mass of 18.394 Earth masses (which makes it comparable to Neptune), an orbital period of 38.14 days, a low orbital eccentricity and inside the habitable zone. Another Neptune-mass planet candidate was discovered in 2020, in a further out and much colder orbit.
| Companion (in order from star) |
Mass | Semimajor axis (AU) |
Orbital period (days) |
Eccentricity | Inclination | Radius |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| b | ≥17.2±1.0 M🜨 | 0.163±0.003 | 38.142±0.007 | 0.17±0.05 | — | — |
| c | ≥16.0±4.1 M🜨 | 1.165±0.023 | 727.562±12.198 | 0.40±0.22 | — | — |
See also
- List of nearest stars and brown dwarfs
- List of exoplanets discovered in 2014 - Gliese 687 b
- List of exoplanets discovered in 2020 - Gliese 687 c