Kepler-652 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-652 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-652, located approximately 1286.8 light-years (394.55 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0673% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.49 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 6.76 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.41 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.09 g⊕ (10.69 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.4 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-652, Kepler-652 b completes one full revolution every 4.182 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.04958 AU (an ultra-close orbit less than one-seventh of Mercury's 0.387 AU distance from the Sun, where strong stellar tidal forces typically induce synchronous rotation). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 129 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 211.88 S⊕ (~288,374 W/m²), Kepler-652 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-652 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,490 K, a radius of 0.88 R☉, a mass of 0.97 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.631 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.48 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.17 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-652 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.618 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere.
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-652 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,490 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8800 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9700 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.631 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.170 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.480 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.618 · G: 13.435 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.049580 AU |
| Orbital Period | 4.182 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 129 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9400° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.41 g/cm³ (18.4 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 211.8840 S⊕ (~288,374 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1286.800 LY (394.550 pc) |