Kepler-887 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-887 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-887, located approximately 2891.7 light-years (886.59 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0171% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.84 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.04 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.58 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.19 g⊕ (11.67 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.6 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-887, Kepler-887 b completes one full revolution every 20.422 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.15431 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 82.2 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 785 K (+512°C / +954°F) and receiving 109.84 S⊕ (~149,495 W/m²), Kepler-887 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-887 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,194 K, a radius of 1.29 R☉, a mass of 1.19 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.198 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.09 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.08 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-887 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.52 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-887 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-887 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-887 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-887 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,194 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.2900 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1900 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.198 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.080 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.090 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.520 · G: 13.450 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.154310 AU |
| Orbital Period | 20.422 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 82.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.8700° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.58 g/cm³ (16.6 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 109.8420 S⊕ (~149,495 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2891.700 LY (886.588 pc) |