Xi Aquilae b (abbreviated ξ Aquilae b, ξ Aql b), formally named Fortitudo /fɔːrtɪˈtjuːdoʊ/, is an extrasolar planet approximately 184 light-years from the Sun in the constellation of Aquila. The planet was discovered orbiting the yellow giant star Xi Aquilae in 2008. The planet has a minimum mass of 2.8 Jupiter and a period of 137 days.[1]
Discovery | |
---|---|
Discovered by | Sato et al.[1] |
Discovery site | Okayama Planet Search Program, Japan |
Discovery date | 19 February 2008 |
Radial velocity | |
Orbital characteristics | |
0.68 AU (102,000,000 km) | |
Eccentricity | 0 |
136.75 ± 0.25 d 0.37439 y | |
2,453,001.7 ± 1.4 | |
Star | Xi Aquilae |
Following its discovery the planet was designated Xi Aquilae b. In July 2014 the International Astronomical Union launched NameExoWorlds, a process for giving proper names to certain exoplanets and their host stars.[2] The process involved public nomination and voting for the new names.[3] In December 2015, the IAU announced the winning name was Fortitudo for this planet.[4]
The winning name was submitted by Libertyer, a student club at Hosei University of Tokyo, Japan. Fortitudo is Latin for 'fortitude'. Aquila is Latin for 'eagle', a symbol of fortitude – emotional and mental strength in the face of adversity.[5]