Kepler-1987 e
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1987 e is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1987, located approximately 1942.9 light-years (595.68 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2023 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0608% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.92 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.35 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.39 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.18 g⊕ (11.57 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1987, Kepler-1987 e completes one full revolution every 8.743 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.0765 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 95.2 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 643 K (+370°C / +698°F) and receiving 40.33 S⊕ (~54,889 W/m²), Kepler-1987 e orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1987 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 4,769 K, a radius of 0.714 R☉, a mass of 0.799 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.237 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.12 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-1987 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.477 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-1987 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 4 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-1987 e sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-1987 b, Kepler-1987 c, Kepler-1987 d.
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-1987 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 4,769 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.7140 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.7990 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.237 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.120 dex |
| Stellar Age | — |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.477 · G: 15.505 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 4 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.076500 AU |
| Orbital Period | 8.743 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 95.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.39 g/cm³ (16.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 40.3300 S⊕ (~54,889 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1942.900 LY (595.683 pc) |