HD 4208

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**HD 4208**
Observation data Epoch J2000.0
Constellation (pronunciation)	Sculptor
Right ascension	0^h 44^m 26.65^s
Declination	-26° 30' 56.45"
Apparent magnitude (V)	7.79
Distance	106.6 ly (32.70 pc)
Spectral type	G5V
Other designations
CD-27°223, HIP 3479

HD 4208 is an 8th magnitude star in the constellation of Sculptor. Spectral type of the star G5 V. It is a yellow dwarf similar to our Sun, only slightly cooler and dimmer. It is not visible to the unaided eye, but with binoculars or small telescope it should be easy target.

In 2001 a planet was discovered orbiting the star.

[edit] HD 4208 b

**HD 4208 b**
Orbital elements
Extrasolar planet		List of extrasolar planets
Semimajor axis	(a)	1.650±0.096 AU
Eccentricity	(e)	0.052±0.040
Orbital period	(P)	828.0±8.1 d
Angular distance	(θ)	49 mas
Longitude of periastron	(ω)	345°
Time of periastron	(T₀)	2,451,040 ±120 JD
Semi-amplitude	(K)	19.06±0.73 m/s
Physical characteristics
Mass	(m)	>0.804±0.073 M_J
Discovery information
Discovery date		2001
Discoverer(s)		Vogt, Butler, Marcy et al.
Detection method		Radial velocity
Discovery site		California and Carnegie Planet Search
Discovery status		Published

The extrasolar planet, designated as HD 4208 b, was discovered by the California and Carnegie Planet Search team using the Keck telescope. The planet is probably somewhat less massive than Jupiter, although only its minimum mass is known. It orbits the star at a distance of 1.67 AU, slightly further than Mars orbits the Sun. Eccentricity is very low, meaning that the orbit is remarkably circular. Unfortunately, if the planet has any large moons, they are probably too cold to support life unless they have subsurface oceans like Jupiter's moon Europa is suspected to have.