Kepler-1996 b
Kepler-1996 b is a mini-Neptune orbiting Kepler-1996 in the constellation Lyra. It lies about 1,437 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2023 using the transit method.
How Big Is Kepler-1996 b?
Kepler-1996 b has a radius of 2.26 times that of Earth.
Is Kepler-1996 b in the Habitable Zone?
Kepler-1996 b orbits inside the inner edge of the habitable zone of Kepler-1996. So close to its star, surface conditions are far too hot for liquid water.
Habitable zone of Kepler-1996: 0.338–0.832 AU (conservative: 0.428–0.789 AU), per Kopparapu et al. (2014). Earth orbits the Sun at 1 AU.
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Temperature on Kepler-1996 b
The equilibrium temperature of Kepler-1996 b is about 392 K (119 °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. It receives 5.61 times the stellar energy that Earth gets from the Sun.
Orbit and Year Length
A year on Kepler-1996 b — one full orbit around Kepler-1996 — lasts 32.4 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year. It orbits at an average distance of 0.179 AU — closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
How Was Kepler-1996 b Discovered?
Kepler-1996 b was discovered in 2023 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-1996 b?
Kepler-1996 b is 1,436.9 light-years (440.6 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 1,437 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 25,289,440 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-1996 b scores 0.41, ranking #448 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: Kepler-1996
Kepler-1996
- Surface temperature
- 4,580 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 0.75 M☉
- Radius
- 0.68 R☉
The Kepler-1996 Planetary System
Kepler-1996 b is one of 2 known planets in the Kepler-1996 system. Its siblings:
- Kepler-1996 c (Mini Neptune)
Kepler-1996 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 2.260 Earth radii (0.202 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 32.38 days |
| Orbital distance | 0.179 AU |
| Equilibrium temperature | 392 K (119 °C) |
| Stellar irradiation | 5.61× Earth |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.41 |
| Distance from Earth | 1,436.9 light-years (440.6 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Lyra |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | Kepler |
| Discovery year | 2023 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2017-05-08. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kepler-1996 b
Is Kepler-1996 b habitable?
No — Kepler-1996 b orbits too close to its star and is too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface.
How far away is Kepler-1996 b?
Kepler-1996 b is about 1,437 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 25,289,440 years to get there.
How big is Kepler-1996 b compared to Earth?
Kepler-1996 b has 2.26 times the radius of Earth.
How long is a year on Kepler-1996 b?
One orbit around Kepler-1996 takes 32.4 Earth days — short enough that 11 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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