WASP-12 is a magnitude 11 yellow dwarf star located approximately 1347 light-years away in the constellation Auriga. WASP-12 has a mass and radius similar to the Sun and is known for being orbited by
Keck Observatory image of WASP-12A (left) with WASP-12B and C (right, indicated)
Artist's conception of WASP-12 & WASP-12b
Hot Jupiters are a class of gas giant exoplanets that are inferred to be physically similar to Jupiter but that have very short orbital periods. The close proximity to their stars and high surface-atm
WASP-12
…as massive as the Sun, respectively. In 2008, the exoplanet WASP-12b was discovered orbiting WASP-12 by SuperWASP, using the transit method. It is a hot Jupiter completing an orbit around its star in just one day. Its high carbon-to-oxygen ratio indicates that rocky planets might have formed in the star system…
An artist's impression of a hot Jupiter orbiting close to its star
Hot Jupiter with hidden water
Comparison of "hot Jupiter" exoplanets (artist concept). From top left to lower right: WASP-12b, Boinayel, WASP-31b, Bocaprins, HD 189733b, Puli, Ditsö̀, Banksia, HAT-P-1b and HD 209458b
Artistic rendering of a puffy planet