It was discovered by the HATNet Project team in 2009 using the transit method, and submitted for publication on 2 January 2009.

[4] The HATNet Project team initially detected the transits of HAT-P-11b from analysis of 11470 images, taken in 2004 and 2005, by the HAT-6 and HAT-9 telescopes.

[1] There was a linear trend in the radial velocities indicating the possibility of another planet in the system.

[6][7] The planet is probably composed primarily of heavy elements with only 10% hydrogen and helium by mass, like Awohali.

[9] If the signal was real, then it was probably due to intense lightning storms with similar properties as ones on Saturn.