Kepler-1017 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1017 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1017, located approximately 1800.6 light-years (552.06 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.044% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.99 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.62 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.23 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.17 g⊕ (11.47 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1017, Kepler-1017 b completes one full revolution every 7.234 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.07196 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 108.2 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). The orbit is modeled as circular (e = 0.00), maintaining a constant stellar distance throughout its year.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 831 K (+558°C / +1036°F) and receiving 119.60 S⊕ (~162,780 W/m²), Kepler-1017 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1017 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,473 K, a radius of 0.87 R☉, a mass of 0.93 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.609 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.95 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.04 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-1017 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.315 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere.
Methodology: Computed using the Schulze-Makuch et al. (2011) weighted metric comparing physical interior (radius, estimated density) and surface thermal regime (escape velocity, equilibrium temperature).
Discovery Facility: Kepler · Catalogue Source: NASA Exoplanet Archive (IPAC / Caltech).
☀️ Host Star Telemetry
| Host Star Name | Kepler-1017 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,473 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8700 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9300 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.609 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.040 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.950 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.315 · G: 14.115 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.071960 AU |
| Orbital Period | 7.234 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 108.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9300° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.23 g/cm³ (17 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 119.6030 S⊕ (~162,780 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1800.600 LY (552.058 pc) |