Kepler-343 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-343 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-343, located approximately 3024.1 light-years (927.19 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0238% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.41 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 6.39 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.52 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.1 g⊕ (10.79 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.2 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-343, Kepler-343 b completes one full revolution every 8.969 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.088 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 106.7 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 1024 K (+751°C / +1384°F) and receiving 206.07 S⊕ (~280,464 W/m²), Kepler-343 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-343 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,807 K, a radius of 1.433 R☉, a mass of 1.055 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.095 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 6.46 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.145 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-343 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.063 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-343 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-343 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-343 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-343 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,807 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.4330 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0550 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.095 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.145 dex |
| Stellar Age | 6.460 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.063 · G: 14.110 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.088000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 8.969 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 106.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 87.5800° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.52 g/cm³ (18.2 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 206.0720 S⊕ (~280,464 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3024.100 LY (927.193 pc) |