Kepler-224 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-224 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-224, located approximately 2550.8 light-years (782.09 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0355% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.39 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.51 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 5.15 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.3 g⊕ (12.75 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-224, Kepler-224 b completes one full revolution every 3.133 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.038 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 132 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 937 K (+664°C / +1227°F) and receiving 201.49 S⊕ (~274,227 W/m²), Kepler-224 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-224 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,018 K, a radius of 0.676 R☉, a mass of 0.777 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.26 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.29 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.06 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-224 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.801 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-224 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 4 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-224 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-224 c, Kepler-224 d, Kepler-224 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-224 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,018 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.6760 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.7770 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.26 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.060 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.290 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.801 · G: 15.636 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 4 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.038000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 3.133 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 132 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.2900° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 5.15 g/cm³ (15 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 201.4890 S⊕ (~274,227 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2550.800 LY (782.088 pc) |