K2-246 b
K2-246 b is a sub-Neptune orbiting K2-246 in the constellation Virgo. It lies about 2,295 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2018 using the transit method.
How Big Is K2-246 b?
K2-246 b has a radius of 3.49 times that of Earth.
Is K2-246 b in the Habitable Zone?
K2-246 b orbits inside the inner edge of the habitable zone of K2-246. So close to its star, surface conditions are far too hot for liquid water.
Habitable zone of K2-246: 0.672–1.590 AU (conservative: 0.851–1.507 AU), per Kopparapu et al. (2014). Earth orbits the Sun at 1 AU.
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Temperature on K2-246 b
The equilibrium temperature of K2-246 b is about 977 K (704 °C) — hot enough to melt many metals. This estimate ignores any atmosphere, which could change surface temperatures dramatically — Earth's greenhouse effect adds about 33 °C.
Orbit and Year Length
A year on K2-246 b — one full orbit around K2-246 — lasts 5.77 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year. It orbits at an average distance of 0.060 AU — closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
How Was K2-246 b Discovered?
K2-246 b was discovered in 2018 using the transit method, with observations from K2.
The transit method watches a star for the tiny, regular dip in brightness that occurs when a planet crosses in front of it. The depth and timing of these dips reveal the planet's size and orbital period.
How Far Away Is K2-246 b?
K2-246 b is 2,294.9 light-years (703.6 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 2,295 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 40,390,240 years to make the journey.
Earth Similarity Index
The Earth Similarity Index (ESI) scores how physically similar a planet is to Earth, from 0 to 1, based on radius, density, escape velocity and surface temperature. K2-246 b scores 0.20, ranking #3,900 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: K2-246
K2-246
- Surface temperature
- 5,610 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 0.87 M☉
- Radius
- 0.94 R☉
Planetary System
K2-246 b is the only planet known to orbit K2-246 so far.
K2-246 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 3.490 Earth radii (0.311 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 5.77 days |
| Orbital distance | 0.060 AU |
| Equilibrium temperature | 977 K (704 °C) |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.20 |
| Distance from Earth | 2,294.9 light-years (703.6 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | K2 |
| Discovery year | 2018 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2022-03-28. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About K2-246 b
Is K2-246 b habitable?
No — K2-246 b orbits too close to its star and is too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface.
How far away is K2-246 b?
K2-246 b is about 2,295 light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 40,390,240 years to get there.
How big is K2-246 b compared to Earth?
K2-246 b has 3.49 times the radius of Earth.
How long is a year on K2-246 b?
One orbit around K2-246 takes 5.8 Earth days — short enough that 63 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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