Kepler-348 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-348 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-348, located approximately 1861.6 light-years (570.78 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0105% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.52 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.92 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.58 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.26 g⊕ (12.36 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.5 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-348, Kepler-348 b completes one full revolution every 7.057 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.076 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 117.2 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 1196 K (+923°C / +1693°F) and receiving 438.94 S⊕ (~597,400 W/m²), Kepler-348 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-348 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,177 K, a radius of 1.359 R☉, a mass of 1.189 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.412 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.29 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.03 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-348 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 12.676 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-348 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-348 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-348 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-348 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,177 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.3590 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1890 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.412 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.030 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.290 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 12.676 · G: 12.588 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.076000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 7.057 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 117.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.2800° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.58 g/cm³ (15.5 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 438.9420 S⊕ (~597,400 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1861.600 LY (570.783 pc) |