hot jupiter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Technical/Scientific)Scientific/Technical
Quick answer
What does “hot jupiter” mean?
A class of exoplanets characterized by being gas giants, similar in mass to Jupiter, but orbiting very close to their parent stars, resulting in extremely high surface temperatures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A class of exoplanets characterized by being gas giants, similar in mass to Jupiter, but orbiting very close to their parent stars, resulting in extremely high surface temperatures.
In astronomy and planetary science, a hot Jupiter is used as a specific technical term. It does not have an extended metaphorical or everyday meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains consistent as both are English-language scientific terms.
Connotations
No difference. The term carries strictly scientific connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Usage frequency is identical and confined to the fields of astronomy, astrophysics, and related popular science media.
Grammar
How to Use “hot jupiter” in a Sentence
Hot Jupiter + orbiting + [star name/number]Hot Jupiter + detected via + [method]A hot Jupiter exoplanetVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Common in astronomy, astrophysics, and planetary science research papers and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside of popular science articles or documentaries about space.
Technical
The primary and only significant usage context.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hot jupiter”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hot jupiter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hot jupiter”
- Capitalising 'Jupiter' but not 'hot' (standard is 'hot Jupiter').
- Using it as a general term for any exoplanet (it is specific to gas giants).
- Interpreting 'hot' as meaning popular or trendy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a common noun, though it is a specific scientific term. 'Jupiter' is capitalised as it is derived from a proper name, but 'hot' is not.
Extremely unlikely. The intense radiation and heat, combined with their gaseous composition, make them inhospitable to life as we know it.
They were among the first exoplanets discovered because their size and proximity to their stars make them easier to detect. Their existence challenged previous theories of planetary formation and migration.
No. Our Jupiter orbits far from the Sun and is relatively cold. The term specifically refers to exoplanets with similar mass but much hotter temperatures due to a very small orbital distance.
A class of exoplanets characterized by being gas giants, similar in mass to Jupiter, but orbiting very close to their parent stars, resulting in extremely high surface temperatures.
Hot jupiter is usually scientific/technical in register.
Hot jupiter: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒt ˈdʒuː.pɪ.tə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɑːt ˈdʒuː.pɪ.tɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the planet Jupiter, but placed so close to the sun that its surface is scorching HOT.
Conceptual Metaphor
The name itself is a metaphor: 'Jupiter' (a known large, gaseous planet) stands for the type of planet, and 'hot' describes its extreme property of location.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a hot Jupiter?