Kepler-112 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-112 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-112, located approximately 1673.9 light-years (513.21 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0662% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.36 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 6.17 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.59 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.11 g⊕ (10.89 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.1 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-112, Kepler-112 b completes one full revolution every 8.409 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.076 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 98.3 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 809 K (+536°C / +997°F) and receiving 123.82 S⊕ (~168,516 W/m²), Kepler-112 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-112 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,544 K, a radius of 0.841 R☉, a mass of 0.782 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.599 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 12.88 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.522 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-112 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.927 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-112 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-112 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-112 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-112 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,544 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8410 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.7820 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.599 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.522 dex |
| Stellar Age | 12.880 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.927 · G: 13.766 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.076000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 8.409 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 98.3 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.59 g/cm³ (18.1 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 123.8180 S⊕ (~168,516 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1673.900 LY (513.206 pc) |