Planet Facts

Wasp-12b

WASP-12b is one of the most extreme planets ever discovered, it’s another “hot Jupiter” that orbits its star so closely that a year there lasts only about 1 Earth day, and its surface temperature is so high (over 4,500°F / 2,500°C) that it glows and may even vaporize metals. The planet is being stretched and slowly torn apart by its star’s gravity, forming a glowing cloud of gas that’s literally being pulled off the planet. Even crazier, scientists believe its atmosphere may be rich in carbon, meaning exotic materials like diamond could theoretically form under the right conditions. Unlike most planets, WASP-12b reflects almost no light, making it darker than asphalt, because its atmosphere absorbs nearly all incoming light, giving it a mysterious, shadowy appearance despite its extreme heat.