TOI-2238 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
TOI-2238 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star TOI-2238, located approximately 932.1 light-years (285.78 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2026 by Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0278% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.6 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 7.27 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.28 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.08 g⊕ (10.59 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.7 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around TOI-2238, TOI-2238 b completes one full revolution every 3.39 Earth days. 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 1464 K (+1191°C / +2176°F) and receiving 764.34 S⊕ (~1,040,272 W/m²), TOI-2238 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star TOI-2238 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,114 K, a radius of 1.4309 R☉, a mass of 1.15 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.567 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.34 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, TOI-2238 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 11.497 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Southern celestial hemisphere.
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-2238 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,114 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.4309 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1500 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.567 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.340 dex |
| Stellar Age | — |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 11.497 · G: 11.123 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | — |
| Orbital Period | 3.39 days |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | — |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.28 g/cm³ (18.7 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 764.3440 S⊕ (~1,040,272 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 932.100 LY (285.780 pc) |