Kepler-1227 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1227 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1227, located approximately 2034.3 light-years (623.71 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0488% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.29 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.86 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.69 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-1227, Kepler-1227 b completes one full revolution every 94.289 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.38555 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 44.5 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 369 K (+96°C / +205°F) and receiving 4.18 S⊕ (~5,688 W/m²), Kepler-1227 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1227 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,747 K, a radius of 0.95 R☉, a mass of 0.97 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.883 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 4.17 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.04 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-1227 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.276 (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-1227 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,747 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9500 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9700 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.883 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.040 dex |
| Stellar Age | 4.170 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.276 · G: 14.176 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.385550 AU |
| Orbital Period | 94.289 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 44.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.7500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.69 g/cm³ (17.9 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 4.1790 S⊕ (~5,688 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2034.300 LY (623.706 pc) |