Kepler-284 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-284 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-284, located approximately 3365.8 light-years (1031.95 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0636% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.24 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.65 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.77 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 17.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-284, Kepler-284 b completes one full revolution every 12.699 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.104 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 89.1 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 686 K (+413°C / +775°F) and receiving 38.37 S⊕ (~52,216 W/m²), Kepler-284 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-284 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,615 K, a radius of 0.814 R☉, a mass of 0.766 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.591 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.5 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.26 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-284 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.944 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-284 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-284 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-284 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-284 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,615 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8140 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.7660 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.591 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.260 dex |
| Stellar Age | 0.500 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.944 · G: 15.813 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.104000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 12.699 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 89.1 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.5100° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.77 g/cm³ (17.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 38.3660 S⊕ (~52,216 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3365.800 LY (1031.950 pc) |