TOI-2540 b
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
TOI-2540 b is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star TOI-2540, located approximately 62.4 light-years (19.14 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 0.1009% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.29 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.86 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.69 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.12 g⊕ (10.98 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.9 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around TOI-2540, TOI-2540 b completes one full revolution every 12.719 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 477 K (+204°C / +399°F) and receiving 12.26 S⊕ (~16,686 W/m²), TOI-2540 b orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star TOI-2540 is classified as a low-mass red dwarf of spectral type M0V with an effective photospheric temperature of 4,023 K, a radius of 0.6611 R☉, a mass of 0.63 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.103 L☉. From Earth, TOI-2540 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 9.914 (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-2540 |
| Spectral Type | M0V |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 4,023 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.6611 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.6300 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.103 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | — |
| Stellar Age | — |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 9.914 · G: 9.097 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | — |
| Orbital Period | 12.719 days |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | — |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.69 g/cm³ (17.9 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 12.2599 S⊕ (~16,686 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 62.400 LY (19.142 pc) |