Gliese 504 b, nicknamed the “Pink Bubble Gum Planet,” was first discovered in 2013 by a team of astronomers at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii. This exoplanet planet is located 57 light-years away in the Virgo constellation, and while GJ 504 b is not a part of our solar system (hence the term, “exoplanet”) it is still within the bounds of our galaxy, the Milky Way.
The gas giant is estimated to be around 160 million years old, with a surface slightly hotter than that of our sun, sitting at around 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, this planet makes one rotation around its sun once every 260 years.
However, the most likely explanation for this planet’s dull magenta color is due to the leftover glow from the heat of its formation, as it’s a relatively “young” star.
What do you think of this planet?
Try this interactive simulation to learn more about Gliese 504 b:
