Kepler-323 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-323 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-323, located approximately 1483.6 light-years (454.88 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0128% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.381 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.9 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 8.16 g/cm³ (an iron-enriched, high-compression rocky core), a surface gravity of 2.04 g⊕ (20.01 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-323, Kepler-323 b completes one full revolution every 1.678 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.02778 AU (an ultra-close orbit less than one-seventh of Mercury's 0.387 AU distance from the Sun, where strong stellar tidal forces typically induce synchronous rotation). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 180.1 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). Its moderate orbital eccentricity of e = 0.095 carries the world between 0.0251 AU at periapsis and 0.0304 AU at apoapsis, driving measurable seasonal insolation cycles.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 1838 K (+1565°C / +2849°F) and receiving 1,900.00 S⊕ (~2,585,900 W/m²), Kepler-323 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-323 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,004 K, a radius of 1.12 R☉, a mass of 1.015 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.462 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 5.4 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.14 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-323 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 12.78 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-323 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-323 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-323 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-323 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,004 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.1200 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0150 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.462 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.140 dex |
| Stellar Age | 5.400 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 12.780 · G: 12.658 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.027780 AU |
| Orbital Period | 1.678 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 180.1 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.09500 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.3000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 8.16 g/cm³ (18.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 1900.0000 S⊕ (~2,585,900 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1483.600 LY (454.883 pc) |