K2-323 b
K2-323 b is a mini-Neptune orbiting K2-323 in the constellation Sextans. It lies about 386 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2020 using the transit method.
How Big Is K2-323 b?
K2-323 b has a radius of 2.10 times that of Earth.
Is K2-323 b in the Habitable Zone?
K2-323 b orbits inside the inner edge of the habitable zone of K2-323. So close to its star, surface conditions are far too hot for liquid water.
Habitable zone of K2-323: 0.185–0.474 AU (conservative: 0.234–0.449 AU), per Kopparapu et al. (2014). Earth orbits the Sun at 1 AU.
See the full interactive habitable-zone view in the Exoplanet Explorer app ›
Temperature on K2-323 b
The equilibrium temperature of K2-323 b is about 318 K (45 °C) — in a range broadly comparable to Earth, whose equilibrium temperature is 255 K. 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 K2-323 b — one full orbit around K2-323 — lasts 24.9 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year. It orbits at an average distance of 0.128 AU — closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
How Was K2-323 b Discovered?
K2-323 b was discovered in 2020 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 K2-323 b?
K2-323 b is 385.9 light-years (118.3 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet around the year 1641. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 6,791,840 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. K2-323 b scores 0.58, ranking #156 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: K2-323
K2-323
- Surface temperature
- 3,710 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 0.48 M☉
- Radius
- 0.55 R☉
Planetary System
K2-323 b is the only planet known to orbit K2-323 so far.
K2-323 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 2.100 Earth radii (0.187 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 24.93 days |
| Orbital distance | 0.128 AU |
| Equilibrium temperature | 318 K (45 °C) |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.58 |
| Distance from Earth | 385.9 light-years (118.3 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Sextans |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | K2 |
| Discovery year | 2020 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2020-09-09. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About K2-323 b
Is K2-323 b habitable?
No — K2-323 b orbits too close to its star and is too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface.
How far away is K2-323 b?
K2-323 b is about 386 light-years from Earth in the constellation Sextans. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 6,791,840 years to get there.
How big is K2-323 b compared to Earth?
K2-323 b has 2.10 times the radius of Earth.
How long is a year on K2-323 b?
One orbit around K2-323 takes 24.9 Earth days — short enough that 15 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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