ultra-hot jupiter

Meaning

Noun

• A giant planet, of similar mass to that of Jupiter, which orbits close enough to its sun to become tidally locked, and whose day-side atmosphere has therefore heated up so much, as to break apart most molecules, leaving atomic gas. The day-side atmosphere has the temperature and spectral characteristics of a star's surface.

Related

Broader meaning words

• jovian
• jupiter
• jovian planet
• jupiter-class planet
• gas giant planet
• giant planet
• gas giant
• giant
• planet

Origin

• ultra- + hot jupiter.
• From being a type of gas giant planet much hotter than most jupiter-class planets.