Kepler-229 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-229 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-229, located approximately 2694.9 light-years (826.27 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0768% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.2 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.48 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.84 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.13 g⊕ (11.08 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.7 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-229, Kepler-229 b completes one full revolution every 6.253 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.062 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 107.9 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 823 K (+550°C / +1022°F) and receiving 76.22 S⊕ (~103,731 W/m²), Kepler-229 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-229 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,120 K, a radius of 0.728 R☉, a mass of 0.808 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.327 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.04 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.06 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-229 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 16.22 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-229 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-229 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-229 c, Kepler-229 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-229 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,120 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.7280 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8080 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.327 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.060 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.040 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 16.220 · G: 15.827 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.062000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 6.253 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 107.9 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.6800° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.84 g/cm³ (17.7 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 76.2170 S⊕ (~103,731 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2694.900 LY (826.265 pc) |