Kepler-223 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-223 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-223, located approximately 6065.6 light-years (1859.71 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0254% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.99 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 7.4 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 1.53 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.83 g⊕ (8.14 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.6 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-223, Kepler-223 b completes one full revolution every 7.384 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.07525 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 110.9 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). Its moderate orbital eccentricity of e = 0.078 carries the world between 0.0694 AU at periapsis and 0.0811 AU at apoapsis, driving measurable seasonal insolation cycles.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 1042 K (+769°C / +1416°F) and receiving 444.05 S⊕ (~604,356 W/m²), Kepler-223 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-223 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,803 K, a radius of 1.72 R☉, a mass of 1.125 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 3.01 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 8.91 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.1 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-223 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.69 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-223 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 4 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-223 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-223 c, Kepler-223 d, Kepler-223 e.
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-223 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,803 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.7200 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1250 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 3.01 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.100 dex |
| Stellar Age | 8.910 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.690 · G: 15.395 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 4 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.075250 AU |
| Orbital Period | 7.384 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 110.9 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.07800 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 90.0000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 1.53 g/cm³ (17.6 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 444.0530 S⊕ (~604,356 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 6065.600 LY (1859.710 pc) |