Kepler-1126 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1126 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1126, located approximately 2073.5 light-years (635.74 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0291% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.73 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.64 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.88 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-1126, Kepler-1126 b completes one full revolution every 108.593 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.41251 AU (situated at an orbital separation between Mercury's 0.39 AU and Venus's 0.72 AU). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 41.3 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 374 K (+101°C / +214°F) and receiving 4.55 S⊕ (~6,193 W/m²), Kepler-1126 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1126 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,798 K, a radius of 0.93 R☉, a mass of 0.92 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.877 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 5.5 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.26 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-1126 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.221 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-1126 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-1126 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-1126 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-1126 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,798 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9300 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9200 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.877 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.260 dex |
| Stellar Age | 5.500 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.221 · G: 14.021 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.412510 AU |
| Orbital Period | 108.593 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 41.3 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 90.0000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.88 g/cm³ (16.2 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 4.5500 S⊕ (~6,193 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2073.500 LY (635.736 pc) |