K2-278 b
K2-278 b is a mini-Neptune orbiting K2-278 in the constellation Virgo. It lies about 2,565 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2018 using the transit method.
How Big Is K2-278 b?
K2-278 b has a radius of 2.98 times that of Earth.
Is K2-278 b in the Habitable Zone?
K2-278 b orbits inside the inner edge of the habitable zone of K2-278. So close to its star, surface conditions are far too hot for liquid water.
Habitable zone of K2-278: 1.556–3.599 AU (conservative: 1.970–3.412 AU), per Kopparapu et al. (2014). Earth orbits the Sun at 1 AU.
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Temperature on K2-278 b
The equilibrium temperature of K2-278 b is about 1,711 K (1,438 °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 K2-278 b — one full orbit around K2-278 — lasts 3.33 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year. It orbits at an average distance of 0.049 AU — closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
How Was K2-278 b Discovered?
K2-278 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 K2-278 b?
K2-278 b is 2,565.0 light-years (786.4 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 2,565 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 45,144,000 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. K2-278 b scores 0.21, ranking #3,753 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: K2-278
K2-278
- Surface temperature
- 6,747 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 1.40 M☉
- Radius
- 1.61 R☉
Planetary System
K2-278 b is the only planet known to orbit K2-278 so far.
K2-278 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 2.980 Earth radii (0.266 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 3.33 days |
| Orbital distance | 0.049 AU |
| Equilibrium temperature | 1,711 K (1,438 °C) |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.21 |
| Distance from Earth | 2,565.0 light-years (786.4 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | K2 |
| Discovery year | 2018 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2018-10-24. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About K2-278 b
Is K2-278 b habitable?
No — K2-278 b orbits too close to its star and is too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface.
How far away is K2-278 b?
K2-278 b is about 2,565 light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 45,144,000 years to get there.
How big is K2-278 b compared to Earth?
K2-278 b has 2.98 times the radius of Earth.
How long is a year on K2-278 b?
One orbit around K2-278 takes 3.3 Earth days — short enough that 110 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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