CoRoT-20b

CoRoT-20b is an extrasolar planet discovered in 2011 orbiting the star CoRoT-20. It is located approximately 1,200 light-years away in the constellation Scutum. CoRoT-20b is a hot Jupiter, a type of gas giant planet that orbits very close to its host star.

The planet was discovered using the transit method by the CoRoT (Convection, Rotation and planetary Transits) space telescope. The transit method detects planets by observing the slight dimming of a star's light as a planet passes in front of it.

CoRoT-20b is notable for its unusually high density. It has a mass roughly 4.24 times that of Jupiter and a radius about 0.84 times that of Jupiter, resulting in a density significantly higher than that of typical hot Jupiters. This high density suggests the planet has a large core composed of heavy elements.

The planet's orbital period is approximately 3.1 days. Its proximity to its host star results in an extremely high equilibrium temperature. Studying planets like CoRoT-20b provides insights into the formation and evolution of hot Jupiters and planetary systems in general.