Kepler-141 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-141 b is a confirmed sub-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-141, located approximately 982.3 light-years (301.18 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0065% across the stellar disk), this world measures 0.69 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 0.257 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.31 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 0.54 g⊕ (5.3 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 6.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-141, Kepler-141 b completes one full revolution every 3.108 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.039 AU (an ultra-close orbit less than one-seventh of Mercury's 0.387 AU distance from the Sun, where strong stellar tidal forces typically induce synchronous rotation). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 136.5 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 968 K (+695°C / +1283°F) and receiving 228.66 S⊕ (~311,210 W/m²), Kepler-141 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-141 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 4,910 K, a radius of 0.787 R☉, a mass of 0.878 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.323 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 12.39 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.264 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-141 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.624 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-141 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-141 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-141 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-141 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 4,910 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.7870 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8780 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.323 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.264 dex |
| Stellar Age | 12.390 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.624 · G: 13.421 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.039000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 3.108 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 136.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 84.5300° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.31 g/cm³ (6.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 228.6630 S⊕ (~311,210 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 982.300 LY (301.183 pc) |