WASP 12b is an extreme “hot Jupiter” exoplanet located approximately 870–1,400 light years from Earth. Due to its close proximity to its host star, the planet completes an orbit every 26 hours and experiences dayside temperatures of approximately 4,000–4,600°F (2,200–2,500°C), placing it among the hottest known exoplanets. Intense tidal forces have distorted the planet into an oblate, egg like shape and are driving significant atmospheric mass loss.
Key Characteristics
• Tidal Distortion and Mass Loss: Strong gravitational interactions are causing WASP 12b to lose material at an estimated rate of one Earth mass every 30,000 years.
• Extreme Temperature: The planet’s atmosphere is too hot for cloud formation, resulting in unusual radiative properties.
• Low Albedo: WASP 12b absorbs at least 94% of incident starlight, making it one of the darkest known planets.
• Orbital Decay: Observations indicate the planet’s orbit is gradually decaying, suggesting it will ultimately be destroyed by its host star.
Discovered in April 2008 by the SuperWASP transit survey, WASP 12b serves as a key example of the extreme physical processes affecting close in gas giants.
Recent transit photometry reveals measurable differences between predicted and observed transit profiles.
These discrepancies provide evidence of external influences, most notably orbital decay, though additional perturbations—such as the presence of another star or planet—cannot be ruled out. One must pay attention to any light curve producing these differences in timing.
Attached is my latest light curve. Thanks to all.