Kepler-1487 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1487 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1487, located approximately 3309.2 light-years (1014.62 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0144% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.13 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.18 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.96 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.14 g⊕ (11.18 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.4 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1487, Kepler-1487 b completes one full revolution every 7.319 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.0898 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 133.5 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 1682 K (+1409°C / +2568°F) and receiving 323.29 S⊕ (~440,003 W/m²), Kepler-1487 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1487 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,541 K, a radius of 1.63 R☉, a mass of 1.38 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 4.364 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.95 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.04 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-1487 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.6 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-1487 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-1487 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-1487 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-1487 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,541 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.6300 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.3800 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 4.364 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.040 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.950 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.600 · G: 13.451 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.089800 AU |
| Orbital Period | 7.319 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 133.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.4400° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.96 g/cm³ (17.4 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 323.2940 S⊕ (~440,003 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3309.200 LY (1014.620 pc) |