K2-339 b
K2-339 b is a super-Earth orbiting K2-339 in the constellation Cancer. It lies about 1,175 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2021 using the transit method.
How Big Is K2-339 b?
K2-339 b has a radius of 1.92 times that of Earth.
Is K2-339 b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of K2-339 b relative to the habitable zone of K2-339 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Habitable zone of K2-339: 0.401–0.976 AU (conservative: 0.508–0.925 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 K2-339 b
The equilibrium temperature of K2-339 b is about 508 K (235 °C) — hotter than anywhere on Earth. 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 K2-339 b — one full orbit around K2-339 — lasts 19.5 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year.
How Was K2-339 b Discovered?
K2-339 b was discovered in 2021 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 K2-339 b?
K2-339 b is 1,175.3 light-years (360.4 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 1,175 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 20,685,280 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. K2-339 b scores 0.35, ranking #760 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: K2-339
K2-339
- Surface temperature
- 4,857 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 0.74 M☉
- Radius
- 0.72 R☉
Planetary System
K2-339 b is the only planet known to orbit K2-339 so far.
K2-339 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 1.920 Earth radii (0.171 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 19.51 days |
| Equilibrium temperature | 508 K (235 °C) |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.35 |
| Distance from Earth | 1,175.3 light-years (360.4 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Cancer |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | K2 |
| Discovery year | 2021 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2021-08-23. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About K2-339 b
Is K2-339 b habitable?
K2-339 b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of K2-339, and as a super-Earth it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is K2-339 b?
K2-339 b is about 1,175 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cancer. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 20,685,280 years to get there.
How big is K2-339 b compared to Earth?
K2-339 b has 1.92 times the radius of Earth.
How long is a year on K2-339 b?
One orbit around K2-339 takes 19.5 Earth days — short enough that 19 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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