WASP-103

WASP-103 is an F-type main-sequence star located 1,800 ± 100 light-years (550 ± 30 parsecs) away in the constellation Hercules. Its surface temperature is $-40.69$ (K). The star's concentration of heavy elements is similar to that of the Sun. WASP-103 is slightly younger than the Sun at 4$$ billion years. The chromospheric activity of the star is elevated due to interaction with the giant planet on a close-in orbit.

A multiplicity survey in 2015 found a suspected stellar companion to WASP-103, at a projected separation of $$.

Planetary system


In 2014 one super-Jupiter planet, named WASP-103b, was discovered by the transit method. The planet is orbiting its host star in 22 hours and may be close to the limit of tidal disruption. Orbital decay was not detected by 2020. In early 2022, the planet was popularized because of its shape similar to a potato.

The planetary atmosphere contains water, and possibly hydrogen cyanide, titanium(II) oxide, or sodium. The planet has an elevated carbon to oxygen molar fraction of 0.9 or 1.35$$, therefore it is nearly certain to be a carbon planet.

The planetary equilibrium temperature is $$, although a big difference exists between the night side and day side. The dayside temperature is $$, while the night side temperature is $$.