Kepler-279 b
Kepler-279 b is a sub-Neptune orbiting Kepler-279 in the constellation Lyra. It lies about 3,384 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2014 using the transit method.
How Big Is Kepler-279 b?
Kepler-279 b has a radius of 3.62 times that of Earth.
Is Kepler-279 b in the Habitable Zone?
The position of Kepler-279 b relative to the habitable zone of Kepler-279 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Orbit and Year Length
A year on Kepler-279 b — one full orbit around Kepler-279 — lasts 12.3 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year. It orbits at an average distance of 0.112 AU — closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
How Was Kepler-279 b Discovered?
Kepler-279 b was discovered in 2014 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-279 b?
Kepler-279 b is 3,383.5 light-years (1,037.4 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 3,384 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 59,549,600 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-279 b scores 0.19, ranking #3,955 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: Kepler-279
Kepler-279
- Mass
- 1.10 M☉
- Radius
- 1.07 R☉
The Kepler-279 Planetary System
Kepler-279 b is one of 4 known planets in the Kepler-279 system. Its siblings:
- Kepler-279 c (Neptune-like)
- Kepler-279 d (Super Earth)
- Kepler-279 e (Cold Gas Giant)
Kepler-279 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 3.620 Earth radii (0.323 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 12.31 days |
| Orbital distance | 0.112 AU |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.19 |
| Distance from Earth | 3,383.5 light-years (1,037.4 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Lyra |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | Kepler |
| Discovery year | 2014 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2014-05-14. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kepler-279 b
Is Kepler-279 b habitable?
Kepler-279 b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of Kepler-279, and as a sub-Neptune it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is Kepler-279 b?
Kepler-279 b is about 3,384 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 59,549,600 years to get there.
How big is Kepler-279 b compared to Earth?
Kepler-279 b has 3.62 times the radius of Earth.
How long is a year on Kepler-279 b?
One orbit around Kepler-279 takes 12.3 Earth days — short enough that 30 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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