Kepler-168 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-168 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-168, located approximately 4382.2 light-years (1343.6 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0146% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.46 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.73 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.84 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.28 g⊕ (12.55 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-168, Kepler-168 b completes one full revolution every 4.425 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.056 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 137.7 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 1240 K (+967°C / +1773°F) and receiving 725.06 S⊕ (~986,812 W/m²), Kepler-168 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-168 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,282 K, a radius of 1.107 R☉, a mass of 1.113 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.712 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.29 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.09 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-168 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.842 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-168 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-168 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-168 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-168 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,282 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.1070 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1130 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.712 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.090 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.290 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.842 · G: 14.605 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.056000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 4.425 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 137.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.9500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.84 g/cm³ (15.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 725.0640 S⊕ (~986,812 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4382.200 LY (1343.600 pc) |