Kepler-361 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-361 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-361, located approximately 3034.3 light-years (930.32 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0098% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.45 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.7 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.88 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.28 g⊕ (12.55 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-361, Kepler-361 b completes one full revolution every 8.487 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.086 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 110.2 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 1060 K (+787°C / +1449°F) and receiving 411.91 S⊕ (~560,603 W/m²), Kepler-361 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-361 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,169 K, a radius of 1.343 R☉, a mass of 1.191 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.344 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.89 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.04 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-361 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.635 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-361 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-361 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-361 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-361 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,169 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.3430 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1910 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.344 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.040 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.890 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.635 · G: 13.545 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.086000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 8.487 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 110.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9600° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.88 g/cm³ (15.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 411.9050 S⊕ (~560,603 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3034.300 LY (930.320 pc) |