Kepler-359 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-359 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-359, located approximately 4707.1 light-years (1443.21 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0888% across the stellar disk), this world measures 3.53 Earth radii (0.31 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 12.2 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 1.53 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.98 g⊕ (9.61 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 20.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-359, Kepler-359 b completes one full revolution every 25.563 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.178 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 75.8 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 671 K (+398°C / +748°F) and receiving 23.90 S⊕ (~32,528 W/m²), Kepler-359 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-359 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,248 K, a radius of 1.086 R☉, a mass of 0.827 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.613 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.02 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.29 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-359 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.805 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-359 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-359 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-359 c, Kepler-359 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-359 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,248 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.0860 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8270 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.613 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.290 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.020 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.805 · G: 15.881 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.178000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 25.563 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 75.8 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.0200° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 1.53 g/cm³ (20.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 23.9000 S⊕ (~32,528 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4707.100 LY (1443.210 pc) |