PSR B1620-26

PSR B1620-26 Planetary System

Location
Constellation:  Scorpius
Right Ascension:  16 23 38.24
Declination:  -26 31 53.9
Distance from Sol:  12399.4 Light Years

  Basic Data
Spectral Type:  Pulsar

System Components
(Mass in Multiples of Jupiter's Mass)

PSR B1620-26 B

Location
Constellation:  Scorpius
Right Ascension:  16 23 38.24
Declination:  -26 31 53.9
Distance from Sol:  12399.4 Light Years
Primary Star:  PSR B1620-26

Basic Data
Mass:  0.34 Solar Masses
Age:  13000 Million Years

Orbital Data

Distance from Primary:  1 AU

PSR B1620-26 C

Basic Data
Parent Star:  PSR B1620-26
Discovery Status:  Confirmed
Planet Type:  Pulsar Planet
 

Physical Data
Mass :  2.5 Jupiters
Mean Distance:  23 AU
Orbital Period:  100 Years
Eccentricity:  0

Orbital Data

 Discovery Facts

Year Discovered:  1996
Detection Method:  Pulsar Timing
Discovered By:  Various

Deep within the M4 globular cluster, the oldest known planet orbits a millisecond pulsar and its white dwarf companion. Dubbed "Methuselah" by astronomers, this planet is probably only a billion years younger than the universe itself. Here we see this ancient world from one of its moons. To the top left of the planet are its pair of tiny elderly parent stars. To the far left, the center of the M4 cluster looms like a gigantic swarm of bees.

Position In Scorpius