Kepler-214 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-214 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-214, located approximately 3941.4 light-years (1208.44 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0313% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.61 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 7.32 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.27 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.07 g⊕ (10.49 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.7 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-214, Kepler-214 b completes one full revolution every 15.661 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.13 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 90.3 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 758 K (+485°C / +905°F) and receiving 196.40 S⊕ (~267,303 W/m²), Kepler-214 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-214 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,169 K, a radius of 1.352 R☉, a mass of 1.11 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.375 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.58 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.02 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-214 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.057 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-214 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-214 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-214 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-214 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,169 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.3520 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1100 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.375 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.020 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.580 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.057 · G: 13.906 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.130000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 15.661 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 90.3 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.1700° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.27 g/cm³ (18.7 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 196.4020 S⊕ (~267,303 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3941.400 LY (1208.440 pc) |