Kepler-203 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-203 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-203, located approximately 2293.9 light-years (703.3 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0447% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.57 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 7.13 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.32 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.08 g⊕ (10.59 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.6 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-203, Kepler-203 b completes one full revolution every 3.163 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.043 AU (an ultra-close orbit less than one-seventh of Mercury's 0.387 AU distance from the Sun, where strong stellar tidal forces typically induce synchronous rotation). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 147.9 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 1308 K (+1035°C / +1895°F) and receiving 668.22 S⊕ (~909,441 W/m²), Kepler-203 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-203 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,821 K, a radius of 1.114 R☉, a mass of 1.06 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.278 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.78 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.08 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-203 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.14 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-203 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-203 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-203 c, Kepler-203 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-203 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,821 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.1140 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0600 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.278 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.080 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.780 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.140 · G: 13.942 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.043000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 3.163 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 147.9 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 85.4700° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.32 g/cm³ (18.6 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 668.2150 S⊕ (~909,441 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2293.900 LY (703.302 pc) |