Kepler-1972 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1972 b is a confirmed terrestrial exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1972, located approximately 937.2 light-years (287.34 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2022 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0028% across the stellar disk), this world measures 0.802 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.02 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 21.59 g/cm³ (an iron-enriched, high-compression rocky core), a surface gravity of 3.14 g⊕ (30.79 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1972, Kepler-1972 b completes one full revolution every 7.544 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.08006 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 115.4 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). Its moderate orbital eccentricity of e = 0.067 carries the world between 0.0747 AU at periapsis and 0.0854 AU at apoapsis, driving measurable seasonal insolation cycles.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 1084 K (+811°C / +1492°F) and receiving 341.30 S⊕ (~464,509 W/m²), Kepler-1972 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1972 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,818 K, a radius of 1.384 R☉, a mass of 1.12 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.969 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 7.4 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.23 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-1972 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 11.23 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-1972 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-1972 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-1972 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-1972 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,818 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.3840 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1200 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.969 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.230 dex |
| Stellar Age | 7.400 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 11.230 · G: 11.144 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.080060 AU |
| Orbital Period | 7.544 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 115.4 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.06700 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 87.6200° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 21.59 g/cm³ (17.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 341.3000 S⊕ (~464,509 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 937.200 LY (287.339 pc) |