Kepler-969 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-969 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-969, located approximately 1273.2 light-years (390.35 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0536% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.07 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.94 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.07 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.15 g⊕ (11.28 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-969, Kepler-969 b completes one full revolution every 34.173 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.19726 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 62.8 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 465 K (+192°C / +378°F) and receiving 10.17 S⊕ (~13,836 W/m²), Kepler-969 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-969 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,214 K, a radius of 0.82 R☉, a mass of 0.92 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.446 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.51 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.22 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-969 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.865 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-969 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-969 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-969 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-969 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,214 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8200 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9200 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.446 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.220 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.510 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.865 · G: 13.722 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.197260 AU |
| Orbital Period | 34.173 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 62.8 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.6300° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.07 g/cm³ (17.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 10.1660 S⊕ (~13,836 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1273.200 LY (390.354 pc) |