Gliese 687, or GJ 687 (Gliese–Jahreiß 687) is a red dwarf in the constellationDraco. This is one of the closest stars to the Sun and lies at a distance of 14.84 light-years (4.55 parsecs). Even though it is close by, it has an apparent magnitude of about 9, so it can only be seen through a moderately sized telescope. Gliese 687 has a high proper motion, advancing 1.304 arcseconds per year across the sky. It has a net relative velocity of about 39 km/s.[2] It is known to have a Neptune-mass planet.[7] Old books and articles refer to it as Argelander Oeltzen 17415.[9]
Gliese 687 has about 40% of the Sun's mass and nearly 50% of the Sun's radius. Compared to the Sun, it has a slightly higher proportion of elements with higher atomic numbers than helium.[6] It seems to rotate every 60 days and exhibit some chromospheric activity.
In 2014, Gliese 687 was discovered to have a planet, Gliese 687 b, with a minimum mass of 18.394 Earth masses (which makes it comparable to Neptune), an orbital period of 38.14 days, a low orbital eccentricity and inside the habitable zone.[7] Another Neptune-mass planet candidate was discovered in 2020, in a further out and much colder orbit.[4]
^Endl, Michael; Cochran, William D.; Kürster, Martin; Paulson, Diane B.; Wittenmyer, Robert A.; MacQueen, Phillip J.; Tull, Robert G. (September 2006). "Exploring the Frequency of Close-in Jovian Planets around M Dwarfs". The Astrophysical Journal. 649 (1): 436–443. arXiv:astro-ph/0606121. Bibcode:2006ApJ...649..436E. doi:10.1086/506465. S2CID14461746.