Hottest planet to date found in the constellation Hercules

May 11, 2007

, a newly found planet in the constellation Hercules is dense, gassy and the hottest planet found to date. HD 149026b is smaller than the typical gas giant and its atmosphere is much heavier, contributing to its staggering temperature of 2,310 K (2,037°C, or 3,700°F), scientists said.

Scientist Joeseph Harrington described the planet as looking "like the evil eye."

"This planet is off the temperature scale that we expect for planets," said Drake Deming of NASA's.

Harrington said for a planet to get so hot, it must be absorbing most of the light that reaches it. This energy is radiated back in the spectrum.

HD 149026b is located 279 light-years from with a light-year being the distance light travels in a year &mdash; about 9.46 trillion kilometres.