Kepler-269 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-269 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-269, located approximately 7362.4 light-years (2257.32 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0558% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.47 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 6.66 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.44 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.09 g⊕ (10.69 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.4 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-269, Kepler-269 b completes one full revolution every 5.327 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.061 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 124.6 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 1007 K (+734°C / +1353°F) and receiving 604.90 S⊕ (~823,269 W/m²), Kepler-269 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-269 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,847 K, a radius of 0.959 R☉, a mass of 0.92 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.964 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 6.46 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.4 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-269 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.646 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-269 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-269 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-269 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-269 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,847 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9590 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9200 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.964 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.400 dex |
| Stellar Age | 6.460 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.646 · G: 15.735 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.061000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 5.327 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 124.6 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.8000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.44 g/cm³ (18.4 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 604.9000 S⊕ (~823,269 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 7362.400 LY (2257.320 pc) |