Kepler-1046 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1046 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1046, located approximately 2353.3 light-years (721.53 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0227% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.71 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.57 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.94 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.22 g⊕ (11.96 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.2 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1046, Kepler-1046 b completes one full revolution every 14.375 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.11858 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 89.7 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 786 K (+513°C / +955°F) and receiving 101.40 S⊕ (~138,005 W/m²), Kepler-1046 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1046 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,913 K, a radius of 1.04 R☉, a mass of 1.04 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.186 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.63 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-1046 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.347 (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-1046 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,913 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.0400 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0400 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.186 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.000 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.630 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.347 · G: 13.248 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.118580 AU |
| Orbital Period | 14.375 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 89.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 86.3000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.94 g/cm³ (16.2 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 101.4000 S⊕ (~138,005 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2353.300 LY (721.534 pc) |