K2-378 b
K2-378 b is a mini-Neptune orbiting K2-378 in the constellation Virgo. It lies about 2,244 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2022 using the transit method.
How Big Is K2-378 b?
K2-378 b has a radius of 2.88 times that of Earth.
Is K2-378 b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of K2-378 b relative to the habitable zone of K2-378 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Habitable zone of K2-378: 0.403–0.981 AU (conservative: 0.510–0.930 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 ›
Orbit and Year Length
A year on K2-378 b — one full orbit around K2-378 — lasts 2.06 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year.
How Was K2-378 b Discovered?
K2-378 b was discovered in 2022 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 K2-378 b?
K2-378 b is 2,243.9 light-years (688.0 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 2,244 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 39,492,640 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. K2-378 b scores 0.22, ranking #3,670 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: K2-378
K2-378
- Surface temperature
- 4,823 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 0.92 M☉
- Radius
- 0.73 R☉
Planetary System
K2-378 b is the only planet known to orbit K2-378 so far.
K2-378 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 2.880 Earth radii (0.257 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 2.06 days |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.22 |
| Distance from Earth | 2,243.9 light-years (688.0 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Virgo |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | K2 |
| Discovery year | 2022 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2022-03-16. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About K2-378 b
Is K2-378 b habitable?
K2-378 b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of K2-378, and as a mini-Neptune it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is K2-378 b?
K2-378 b is about 2,244 light-years from Earth in the constellation Virgo. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 39,492,640 years to get there.
How big is K2-378 b compared to Earth?
K2-378 b has 2.88 times the radius of Earth.
How long is a year on K2-378 b?
One orbit around K2-378 takes 2.1 Earth days — short enough that 177 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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