TOI-216 and Its Two Jupiter-Like Planets

TOI-216 is a star located 580 light-years away. Its reported mass estimate is 0.84 solar masses and its reported radius estimate is 0.802 solar radii, both smaller than the Sun's corresponding values. With a reported temperature of 5030 K, it is also cooler than the Sun. Two planets are known to orbit this star.

Both planets are Jupiter-like, meaning their radii exceed four times Earth's radius, and both were found by the transit method in 2019. A transit occurs when a planet passes in front of its star from our viewpoint, causing a small dip in observed brightness; repeated dips help establish orbital periods.

TOI-216.01 has a reported mass estimate of 178 Earth masses and a radius estimate of 10.1 Earth radii, larger than Earth in both respects. Its mean density is 0.952 g/cm³, 0.173 times Earth's. It completes one orbit, or year, in 34.5 days.

TOI-216.02 has a reported mass estimate of 18.8 Earth masses and a radius estimate of 8 Earth radii, likewise larger than Earth in both respects. Its mean density is 0.202 g/cm³, 0.0366 times Earth's. Its orbital period is 17.2 days.

Among the listed planets, TOI-216.02 has the shortest year by reported estimates, at 17.2 days, while TOI-216.01 has the longest, at 34.5 days. TOI-216.02 also has the smallest radius and the smallest reported mass, at 8 Earth radii and 18.8 Earth masses, while TOI-216.01 has the largest radius and the largest reported mass, at 10.1 Earth radii and 178 Earth masses.