Kepler-524 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-524 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-524, located approximately 3451.5 light-years (1058.24 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0253% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.91 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.31 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.41 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 16.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-524, Kepler-524 b completes one full revolution every 7.974 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.07955 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 108.5 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 974 K (+701°C / +1294°F) and receiving 434.24 S⊕ (~590,997 W/m²), Kepler-524 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-524 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,014 K, a radius of 1.1 R☉, a mass of 1.09 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.42 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.02 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.02 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-524 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.082 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-524 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-524 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-524 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-524 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,014 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.1000 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0900 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.42 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.020 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.020 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.082 · G: 13.887 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.079550 AU |
| Orbital Period | 7.974 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 108.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.3600° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.41 g/cm³ (16.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 434.2370 S⊕ (~590,997 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3451.500 LY (1058.240 pc) |