Kepler-241 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-241 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-241, located approximately 1669.9 light-years (512 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.1023% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.33 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 6.04 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.63 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.11 g⊕ (10.89 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-241, Kepler-241 b completes one full revolution every 12.718 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.094 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 80.4 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 562 K (+289°C / +552°F) and receiving 23.60 S⊕ (~32,120 W/m²), Kepler-241 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-241 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 4,699 K, a radius of 0.668 R☉, a mass of 0.671 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.195 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 13.9 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.031 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-241 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.708 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-241 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-241 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-241 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-241 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 4,699 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.6680 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.6710 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.195 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.031 dex |
| Stellar Age | 13.900 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.708 · G: 15.387 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.094000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 12.718 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 80.4 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.1700° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.63 g/cm³ (18 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 23.6000 S⊕ (~32,120 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1669.900 LY (512.000 pc) |