Kepler-722 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-722 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-722, located approximately 4042.7 light-years (1239.5 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0527% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.63 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 7.41 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.25 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.07 g⊕ (10.49 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-722, Kepler-722 b completes one full revolution every 4.094 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.0514 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 136.6 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 1182 K (+909°C / +1668°F) and receiving 414.60 S⊕ (~564,272 W/m²), Kepler-722 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-722 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,863 K, a radius of 1.05 R☉, a mass of 1.03 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.169 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 4.37 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.02 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-722 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.489 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-722 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-722 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-722 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-722 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,863 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.0500 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0300 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.169 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.020 dex |
| Stellar Age | 4.370 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.489 · G: 15.373 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.051400 AU |
| Orbital Period | 4.094 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 136.6 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 79.9500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.25 g/cm³ (18.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 414.6010 S⊕ (~564,272 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4042.700 LY (1239.500 pc) |