Kepler-47 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-47 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-47, located approximately 3343.2 light-years (1025.02 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2012 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0892% across the stellar disk), this world measures 3.05 Earth radii (0.27 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 2.07 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 0.4 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.22 g⊕ (2.16 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 9.2 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-47, Kepler-47 b completes one full revolution every 49.464 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.2877 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 63.3 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). With a near-circular eccentricity of e = 0.021 (ranging from 0.2817 AU at periapsis to 0.2937 AU at apoapsis), the planet experiences minimal orbital distance variation.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 490 K (+217°C / +423°F) and receiving 10.14 S⊕ (~13,803 W/m²), Kepler-47 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-47 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,636 K, a radius of 0.936 R☉, a mass of 0.957 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.793 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.25 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-47 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.31 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-47 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-47 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-47 d, Kepler-47 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-47 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,636 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9360 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9570 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.793 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.250 dex |
| Stellar Age | — |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.310 · G: 15.163 |
| System Architecture | 2 Stars, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.287700 AU |
| Orbital Period | 49.464 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 63.3 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.02100 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.7520° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 0.4 g/cm³ (9.2 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 10.1419 S⊕ (~13,803 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3343.200 LY (1025.020 pc) |