TOI-1052 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
TOI-1052 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star TOI-1052, located approximately 423.4 light-years (129.8 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2023 by Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0433% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.87 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 16.9 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.94 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 2.05 g⊕ (20.1 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 27.1 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around TOI-1052, TOI-1052 b completes one full revolution every 9.14 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.09103 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 108.4 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). Its moderate orbital eccentricity of e = 0.18 carries the world between 0.0746 AU at periapsis and 0.1074 AU at apoapsis, driving measurable seasonal insolation cycles.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 1135 K (+862°C / +1584°F) and receiving 246.00 S⊕ (~334,806 W/m²), TOI-1052 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star TOI-1052 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,146 K, a radius of 1.264 R☉, a mass of 1.204 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.045 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.3 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.14 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, TOI-1052 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 9.511 (accessible to binoculars and small amateur telescopes) in the Southern celestial hemisphere. The TOI-1052 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with TOI-1052 b sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside TOI-1052 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: Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) · Catalogue Source: NASA Exoplanet Archive (IPAC / Caltech).
☀️ Host Star Telemetry
| Host Star Name | TOI-1052 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,146 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.2640 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.2040 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.045 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.140 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.300 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 9.511 · G: 9.400 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.091030 AU |
| Orbital Period | 9.14 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 108.4 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.18000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 87.5300° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.94 g/cm³ (27.1 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 246.0000 S⊕ (~334,806 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 423.400 LY (129.804 pc) |