Kepler-193 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-193 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-193, located approximately 3291.2 light-years (1009.1 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0365% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.39 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 6.3 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.54 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.1 g⊕ (10.79 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.2 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-193, Kepler-193 b completes one full revolution every 11.388 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.106 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 101.3 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 979 K (+706°C / +1303°F) and receiving 117.30 S⊕ (~159,649 W/m²), Kepler-193 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-193 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,335 K, a radius of 1.147 R☉, a mass of 1.051 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.901 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.3 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-193 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.712 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-193 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-193 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-193 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-193 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,335 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.1470 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0510 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.901 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.000 dex |
| Stellar Age | 0.300 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.712 · G: 14.596 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.106000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 11.388 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 101.3 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.4000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.54 g/cm³ (18.2 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 117.3030 S⊕ (~159,649 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3291.200 LY (1009.100 pc) |