 Predicted total heat flux is approximately 104–5 W/m2 at the planet's surface; for comparison the surface heat flux for Io is around 3 W/m2.This is similar to the radiative energy it receives from its parent star of about 40,000 W/m2.Gliese 876 d was discovered by analysing changes in its star's radial velocity as a result of the planet's gravity.