Kepler-1862 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1862 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1862, located approximately 4018.9 light-years (1232.19 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2021 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0628% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.203 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.49 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.83 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.13 g⊕ (11.08 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.7 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1862, Kepler-1862 b completes one full revolution every 16.057 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.1199 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 81.2 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 645 K (+372°C / +702°F) and receiving 41.04 S⊕ (~55,855 W/m²), Kepler-1862 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1862 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,644 K, a radius of 0.806 R☉, a mass of 0.9 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.591 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.4 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.24 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-1862 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.847 (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-1862 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,644 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8060 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9000 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.591 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.240 dex |
| Stellar Age | 0.400 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.847 · G: 15.838 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.119900 AU |
| Orbital Period | 16.057 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 81.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 87.2000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.83 g/cm³ (17.7 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 41.0400 S⊕ (~55,855 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4018.900 LY (1232.190 pc) |