Kepler-1676 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1676 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1676. First announced in 2020 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0852% across the stellar disk), this world measures 3.377 Earth radii (0.3 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 11.3 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 1.62 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.99 g⊕ (9.71 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 20.5 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1676, Kepler-1676 b completes one full revolution every 29.922 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.1954 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 71 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 782 K (+509°C / +948°F) and receiving 33.45 S⊕ (~45,525 W/m²), Kepler-1676 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1676 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,878 K, a radius of 1.0607 R☉, a mass of 1.07 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.205 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.3 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.135 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-1676 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.485 (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-1676 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,878 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.0607 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0700 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.205 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.135 dex |
| Stellar Age | 0.300 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.485 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.195400 AU |
| Orbital Period | 29.922 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 71 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.7200° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 1.62 g/cm³ (20.5 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 33.4500 S⊕ (~45,525 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | — |