Date: 16 Sep 2009
Satellite: CoRoT
Depicts: Illustration of CoRoT-7b
Copyright: ESO/L. Calcada

The exoplanet CoRoT-7b is so close to its Sun-like host star that it must experience extreme conditions. This planet has a mass five times that of Earth's and is in fact the closest known exoplanet to its host star, which also makes it the fastest - it orbits its star at a speed of more than 750 000 kilometres per hour. The probable temperature on its "day-face" is above 2000 degrees, but minus 200 degrees on its night face. Theoretical models suggest that the planet may have lava or boiling oceans on its surface. This illustration shows how it may look if it were covered by lava. The sister planet, CoRoT-7c, is seen in the distance.