Kepler-297 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-297 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-297, located approximately 2257.5 light-years (692.14 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0827% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.87 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 48.5 Earth masses (0.15 Jupiter masses). Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 11.31 g/cm³ (an iron-enriched, high-compression rocky core), a surface gravity of 5.89 g⊕ (57.76 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 46 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-297, Kepler-297 b completes one full revolution every 38.872 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.217 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 60.7 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 509 K (+236°C / +457°F) and receiving 16.46 S⊕ (~22,408 W/m²), Kepler-297 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-297 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,619 K, a radius of 0.915 R☉, a mass of 0.927 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.749 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.9 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.11 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-297 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.326 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-297 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-297 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-297 c, Kepler-297 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-297 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,619 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9150 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9270 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.749 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.110 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.900 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.326 · G: 14.192 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.217000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 38.872 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 60.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9700° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 11.31 g/cm³ (46 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 16.4640 S⊕ (~22,408 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2257.500 LY (692.140 pc) |