Kepler-1926 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1926 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1926, located approximately 2176.8 light-years (667.41 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2021 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0651% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.315 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.97 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.65 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.11 g⊕ (10.89 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1926, Kepler-1926 b completes one full revolution every 42.878 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.2197 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 55.7 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 451 K (+178°C / +352°F) and receiving 9.80 S⊕ (~13,338 W/m²), Kepler-1926 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1926 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,256 K, a radius of 0.832 R☉, a mass of 0.768 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.474 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.16 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-1926 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.8 (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-1926 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,256 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8320 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.7680 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.474 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.160 dex |
| Stellar Age | — |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.800 · G: 15.667 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.219700 AU |
| Orbital Period | 42.878 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 55.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9900° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.65 g/cm³ (18 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 9.8000 S⊕ (~13,338 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2176.800 LY (667.405 pc) |