Kepler-87 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-87 b is a confirmed gas giant exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-87, located approximately 4021.2 light-years (1232.9 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2013 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.4618% across the stellar disk), this world measures 13.49 Earth radii (1.2 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 324.2 Earth masses (1.02 Jupiter masses). Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 0.73 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 1.78 g⊕ (17.46 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 54.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-87, Kepler-87 b completes one full revolution every 114.736 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.481 AU (situated at an orbital separation between Mercury's 0.39 AU and Venus's 0.72 AU). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 45.6 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). With a near-circular eccentricity of e = 0.036 (ranging from 0.4637 AU at periapsis to 0.4983 AU at apoapsis), the planet experiences minimal orbital distance variation.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 478 K (+205°C / +401°F) and receiving 9.20 S⊕ (~12,525 W/m²), Kepler-87 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-87 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,600 K, a radius of 1.82 R☉, a mass of 1.1 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.923 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 7.5 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.17 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-87 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.681 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-87 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-87 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-87 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-87 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,600 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.8200 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1000 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.923 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.170 dex |
| Stellar Age | 7.500 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.681 · G: 14.587 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.481000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 114.736 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 45.6 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.03600 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.2740° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 0.73 g/cm³ (54.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 9.2030 S⊕ (~12,525 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4021.200 LY (1232.900 pc) |