Skip to main content

Kepler-1249 b

Mini Neptune Cygnus

Kepler-1249 b is a mini-Neptune orbiting Kepler-1249 in the constellation Cygnus. It lies about 6,212 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2016 using the transit method.

2.38×Earth radius
24 dOrbital period
0.25Earth similarity
6,212 lyDistance
2016Discovered

How Big Is Kepler-1249 b?

Earth1.00 R⊕Kepler-1249 b2.38 R⊕
Compare any two worlds side by side in the Exoplanet Explorer app ›

Kepler-1249 b has a radius of 2.38 times that of Earth.

Is Kepler-1249 b in the Habitable Zone?

The position of Kepler-1249 b relative to the habitable zone of Kepler-1249 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.

Too hot Optimistic habitable zone Conservative habitable zone Too cold

Habitable zone of Kepler-1249: 1.079–2.516 AU (conservative: 1.366–2.386 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 Kepler-1249 b — one full orbit around Kepler-1249 — lasts 24.3 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year.

How Was Kepler-1249 b Discovered?

Kepler-1249 b was discovered in 2016 using the transit method, with observations from Kepler.

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 Kepler-1249 b?

Kepler-1249 b is 6,211.8 light-years (1,904.5 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 6,212 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 109,327,680 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. Kepler-1249 b scores 0.25, ranking #3,113 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.

The Host Star: Kepler-1249

Kepler-1249

Surface temperature
6,202 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
Mass
1.19 M☉
Radius
1.28 R☉
Age
2.8 billion years (Sun: 4.6)

Planetary System

Kepler-1249 b is the only planet known to orbit Kepler-1249 so far.

Kepler-1249 b — Complete Data

Radius2.380 Earth radii (0.212 Jupiter radii)
Orbital period24.33 days
Earth Similarity Index0.25
Distance from Earth6,211.8 light-years (1,904.5 parsecs)
ConstellationCygnus
Discovery methodTransit
Discovery facilityKepler
Discovery year2016

Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2016-05-06. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kepler-1249 b

Is Kepler-1249 b habitable?

Kepler-1249 b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of Kepler-1249, and as a mini-Neptune it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.

How far away is Kepler-1249 b?

Kepler-1249 b is about 6,212 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 109,327,680 years to get there.

How big is Kepler-1249 b compared to Earth?

Kepler-1249 b has 2.38 times the radius of Earth.

How long is a year on Kepler-1249 b?

One orbit around Kepler-1249 takes 24.3 Earth days — short enough that 15 of its years would fit into one Earth year.

Exoplanet Explorer app icon

Explore Kepler-1249 b in the app

Browse, filter and compare 6,000+ exoplanets on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch — with habitable-zone views, widgets and offline data.

Download on the App Store