TOI-248 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
TOI-248 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star TOI-248, located approximately 247.7 light-years (75.95 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 0.0375% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.37 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 6.21 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.57 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.11 g⊕ (10.89 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.1 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around TOI-248, TOI-248 b completes one full revolution every 5.991 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 1447 K (+1174°C / +2145°F) and receiving 728.26 S⊕ (~991,156 W/m²), TOI-248 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star TOI-248 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,712 K, a radius of 1.1215 R☉, a mass of 1.02 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.201 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, TOI-248 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 9.03 (accessible to binoculars and small amateur telescopes) 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-248 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,712 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.1215 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0200 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.201 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.000 dex |
| Stellar Age | — |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 9.030 · G: 8.883 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | — |
| Orbital Period | 5.991 days |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | — |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.57 g/cm³ (18.1 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 728.2554 S⊕ (~991,156 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 247.700 LY (75.953 pc) |