Kepler-329 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-329 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-329, located approximately 1434.2 light-years (439.72 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0602% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.4 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.54 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 5.1 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.3 g⊕ (12.75 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.1 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-329, Kepler-329 b completes one full revolution every 7.416 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 89.5 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 547 K (+274°C / +525°F) and receiving 40.69 S⊕ (~55,378 W/m²), Kepler-329 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-329 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 4,257 K, a radius of 0.523 R☉, a mass of 0.602 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.081 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.47 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.44 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-329 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.886 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-329 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-329 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-329 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-329 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 4,257 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.5230 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.6020 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.081 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.440 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.470 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.886 · G: 15.431 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.061000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 7.416 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 89.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.8600° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 5.1 g/cm³ (15.1 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 40.6890 S⊕ (~55,378 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1434.200 LY (439.719 pc) |