Alien ocean. Computer artwork of the view from an alien ocean on a moon orbiting a gas giant planet (upper left) in the 16 Cygni binary star system. The planet was detected in 1996, orbiting the Sun- like star 16 Cygni B (centre right). The other star is 16 Cygni A (upper right). This binary star system is 56 light years distant from Earth in the constellation Cygnus. The planet's mass is 1.67 times that of Jupiter, but its eccentric orbit makes it unlikely that life exists on it or on its moons. As it approaches its star, the oceans will boil. As it recedes, the oceans will freeze. For an artwork of the planet and moon seen from space, see R650/202.