Kepler-511 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-511 b is a confirmed gas giant exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-511, located approximately 2126.5 light-years (652 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.2354% across the stellar disk), this world measures 6.35 Earth radii (0.57 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 33.1 Earth masses (0.1 Jupiter masses). Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 0.71 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.82 g⊕ (8.04 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 25.5 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-511, Kepler-511 b completes one full revolution every 296.638 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.85672 AU (comparable to the inner terrestrial zone between Venus, Earth at 1.00 AU, and Mars at 1.52 AU). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 31.4 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.
☁️ Atmospheric Regime (Volatile / Gas Envelope): With a radius of 6.350 R⊕, Kepler-511 b exceeds the empirical ~1.8–2.2 R⊕ Fulton radius valley threshold, indicating a substantial hydrogen-helium or supercritical volatile envelope without a conventional solid terrestrial surface.
The host star Kepler-511 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,770 K, a radius of 1.2 R☉, a mass of 1 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.432 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 7.94 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.01 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-511 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 12.711 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-511 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-511 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-511 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-511 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,770 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.2000 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0000 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.432 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.010 dex |
| Stellar Age | 7.940 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 12.711 · G: 12.583 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.856720 AU |
| Orbital Period | 296.638 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 31.4 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.8100° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 0.71 g/cm³ (25.5 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 4.2080 S⊕ (~5,727 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2126.500 LY (651.999 pc) |