Kepler-968 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-968 b is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-968, located approximately 946.9 light-years (290.32 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0686% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.66 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.21 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.17 g⊕ (11.47 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.1 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-968, Kepler-968 b completes one full revolution every 3.693 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.0389 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 114.6 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 745 K (+472°C / +882°F) and receiving 103.91 S⊕ (~141,420 W/m²), Kepler-968 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-968 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 4,598 K, a radius of 0.7 R☉, a mass of 0.76 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.196 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.14 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.13 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-968 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.626 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-968 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-968 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-968 c, KOI-1833 d.
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-968 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 4,598 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.7000 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.7600 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.196 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.130 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.140 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.626 · G: 14.250 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.038900 AU |
| Orbital Period | 3.693 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 114.6 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 85.8800° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.21 g/cm³ (17.1 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 103.9090 S⊕ (~141,420 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 946.900 LY (290.324 pc) |