Kepler-1232 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1232 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1232, located approximately 2064.1 light-years (632.87 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0395% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.93 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.38 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.36 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.18 g⊕ (11.57 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.9 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1232, Kepler-1232 b completes one full revolution every 26.784 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.16545 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 67.2 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 523 K (+250°C / +482°F) and receiving 14.60 S⊕ (~19,871 W/m²), Kepler-1232 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1232 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,471 K, a radius of 0.89 R☉, a mass of 0.92 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.637 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 4.79 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.06 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-1232 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.97 (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-1232 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,471 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8900 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9200 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.637 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.060 dex |
| Stellar Age | 4.790 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.970 · G: 14.762 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.165450 AU |
| Orbital Period | 26.784 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 67.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.36 g/cm³ (16.9 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 14.6000 S⊕ (~19,871 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2064.100 LY (632.865 pc) |