Kepler-160 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-160 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-160, located approximately 3056.1 light-years (937.01 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0198% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.715 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.59 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.92 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-160, Kepler-160 b completes one full revolution every 4.309 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.05511 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 139.1 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 1134 K (+861°C / +1582°F) and receiving 396.62 S⊕ (~539,798 W/m²), Kepler-160 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-160 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,471 K, a radius of 1.118 R☉, a mass of 1.003 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.005 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 6.03 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.2 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-160 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.816 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-160 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-160 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-160 c, Kepler-160 d.
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-160 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,471 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.1180 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0030 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.005 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.200 dex |
| Stellar Age | 6.030 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.816 · G: 14.616 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.055110 AU |
| Orbital Period | 4.309 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 139.1 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.8300° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.92 g/cm³ (16.2 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 396.6190 S⊕ (~539,798 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3056.100 LY (937.013 pc) |