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Kepler-766 b

Sub Neptune Cygnus

Kepler-766 b is a sub-Neptune orbiting Kepler-766 in the constellation Cygnus. It lies about 7,494 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2016 using the transit method.

3.39×Earth radius
6.1 dOrbital period
0.20Earth similarity
7,494 lyDistance
2016Discovered

How Big Is Kepler-766 b?

Earth1.00 R⊕Kepler-766 b3.39 R⊕
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Kepler-766 b has a radius of 3.39 times that of Earth.

Is Kepler-766 b in the Habitable Zone?

The position of Kepler-766 b relative to the habitable zone of Kepler-766 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.

Too hot Optimistic habitable zone Conservative habitable zone Too cold

Habitable zone of Kepler-766: 0.916–2.147 AU (conservative: 1.160–2.036 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-766 b — one full orbit around Kepler-766 — lasts 6.10 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year.

How Was Kepler-766 b Discovered?

Kepler-766 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-766 b?

Kepler-766 b is 7,493.8 light-years (2,297.6 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 7,494 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 131,890,880 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-766 b scores 0.20, ranking #3,908 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.

The Host Star: Kepler-766

Kepler-766

Surface temperature
5,992 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
Mass
1.10 M☉
Radius
1.15 R☉
Age
3.6 billion years (Sun: 4.6)

Planetary System

Kepler-766 b is the only planet known to orbit Kepler-766 so far.

Kepler-766 b — Complete Data

Radius3.390 Earth radii (0.302 Jupiter radii)
Orbital period6.10 days
Earth Similarity Index0.20
Distance from Earth7,493.8 light-years (2,297.6 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-766 b

Is Kepler-766 b habitable?

Kepler-766 b is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of Kepler-766, and as a sub-Neptune it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.

How far away is Kepler-766 b?

Kepler-766 b is about 7,494 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 131,890,880 years to get there.

How big is Kepler-766 b compared to Earth?

Kepler-766 b has 3.39 times the radius of Earth.

How long is a year on Kepler-766 b?

One orbit around Kepler-766 takes 6.1 Earth days — short enough that 60 of its years would fit into one Earth year.

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