Kepler-382 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-382 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-382, located approximately 3051 light-years (935.45 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0164% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.32 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.3 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 5.51 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.32 g⊕ (12.94 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 14.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-382, Kepler-382 b completes one full revolution every 5.262 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.055 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 113.7 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 1166 K (+893°C / +1639°F) and receiving 381.47 S⊕ (~519,174 W/m²), Kepler-382 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-382 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,600 K, a radius of 0.945 R☉, a mass of 1.002 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.788 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 7.08 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.082 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-382 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.907 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-382 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-382 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-382 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-382 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,600 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9450 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0020 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.788 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.082 dex |
| Stellar Age | 7.080 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.907 · G: 14.666 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.055000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 5.262 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 113.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 85.4800° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 5.51 g/cm³ (14.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 381.4650 S⊕ (~519,174 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3051.000 LY (935.446 pc) |