Kepler-237 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-237 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-237, located approximately 2145.5 light-years (657.82 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0318% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.41 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.57 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 5.06 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.29 g⊕ (12.65 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.1 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-237, Kepler-237 b completes one full revolution every 4.715 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.05 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 115.4 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 124.96 S⊕ (~170,072 W/m²), Kepler-237 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-237 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 4,861 K, a radius of 0.725 R☉, a mass of 0.696 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.263 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.02 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.22 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-237 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.689 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-237 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-237 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-237 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-237 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 4,861 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.7250 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.6960 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.263 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.220 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.020 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.689 · G: 15.283 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.050000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 4.715 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 115.4 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.9600° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 5.06 g/cm³ (15.1 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 124.9610 S⊕ (~170,072 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2145.500 LY (657.822 pc) |