Kepler-371 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-371 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-371, located approximately 2652.3 light-years (813.19 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0305% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.89 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.23 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.45 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.18 g⊕ (11.57 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.7 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-371, Kepler-371 b completes one full revolution every 34.763 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.2 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 62.6 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 554 K (+281°C / +538°F) and receiving 41.74 S⊕ (~56,804 W/m²), Kepler-371 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-371 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,666 K, a radius of 0.992 R☉, a mass of 0.876 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.91 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 12.88 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.198 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-371 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.997 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-371 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-371 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-371 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-371 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,666 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9920 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8760 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.91 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.198 dex |
| Stellar Age | 12.880 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.997 · G: 13.798 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.200000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 34.763 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 62.6 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.0400° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.45 g/cm³ (16.7 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 41.7370 S⊕ (~56,804 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2652.300 LY (813.192 pc) |