Kepler-1073 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1073 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1073, located approximately 2641.5 light-years (809.9 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0445% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.3 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.9 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.67 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.12 g⊕ (10.98 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.9 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1073, Kepler-1073 b completes one full revolution every 8.679 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.0805 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 100.9 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 905 K (+632°C / +1170°F) and receiving 128.55 S⊕ (~174,957 W/m²), Kepler-1073 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1073 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,792 K, a radius of 1 R☉, a mass of 1 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.01 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.72 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-1073 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.749 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-1073 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-1073 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-1073 d, Kepler-1073 c.
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-1073 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,792 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.0000 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0000 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.01 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.000 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.720 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.749 · G: 14.532 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.080500 AU |
| Orbital Period | 8.679 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 100.9 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.3800° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.67 g/cm³ (17.9 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 128.5500 S⊕ (~174,957 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2641.500 LY (809.897 pc) |