 Constellation Sagittarius. MOA-2009-BLG-387L is located just to the right of "The Teapot". | |
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Right ascension | 17h 53m 51s |
| Declination | −33° 59′ 25″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 18.35 (± 0.03)[1] |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | M[2] |
| Astrometry | |
| Distance | 5700 (± 2200)[2] pc |
| Details | |
| Mass | 0.19 +0.3 −0.12[2] M☉ |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
MOA-2009-BLG-387L is a red dwarf in the Sagittarius constellation that is host to the planet MOA-2009-BLG-387Lb. The star is estimated to be nearly 20,000 light years away and approximately one fifth the mass of the Sun, although large confidence intervals exist, reflecting the uncertainties in both the mass and distance. The star drew the attention of astronomers when it became the lens of gravitational microlensing event MOA-2009-BLG-387L, in which it eclipsed a background star and created distorted caustics, an envelope of reflected or refracted light rays. Analysis of the caustic events and of follow-up observational data led to the planet's discovery, which was reported in February 2011.