TOI-286 b
TOI-286 b is a super-Earth orbiting the K3 V star TOI-286 in the constellation Pictor. It lies about 193 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2024 using the transit method.
How Big Is TOI-286 b?
TOI-286 b has a radius of 1.42 times that of Earth. Its mass is 4.5 times that of Earth, giving it a density of 8.63 g/cm³ — comparable to rocky planets like Earth (5.51 g/cm³).
Is TOI-286 b in the Habitable Zone?
TOI-286 b orbits inside the inner edge of the habitable zone of TOI-286. So close to its star, surface conditions are far too hot for liquid water.
Habitable zone of TOI-286: 0.483–1.161 AU (conservative: 0.612–1.100 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 ›
Temperature on TOI-286 b
The equilibrium temperature of TOI-286 b is about 979 K (706 °C) — hot enough to melt many metals. This estimate ignores any atmosphere, which could change surface temperatures dramatically — Earth's greenhouse effect adds about 33 °C.
Orbit and Year Length
A year on TOI-286 b — one full orbit around TOI-286 — lasts 4.51 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year. It orbits at an average distance of 0.050 AU — closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
How Was TOI-286 b Discovered?
TOI-286 b was discovered in 2024 using the transit method, with observations from Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
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 TOI-286 b?
TOI-286 b is 193.2 light-years (59.2 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet around the year 1833. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 3,400,320 years to make the journey.
The Host Star: TOI-286
TOI-286
- Spectral type
- K3 V
- Surface temperature
- 5,152 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 0.83 M☉
- Radius
- 0.78 R☉
- Luminosity
- 0.3858 L☉
The TOI-286 Planetary System
TOI-286 b is one of 2 known planets in the TOI-286 system. Its siblings:
- TOI-286 c (Super Earth)
TOI-286 b — Complete Data
| Radius | 1.420 Earth radii (0.127 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 4.53 Earth masses (0.014 Jupiter masses) |
| Density | 8.63 g/cm³ (Earth: 5.51) |
| Orbital period | 4.51 days |
| Orbital distance | 0.050 AU |
| Equilibrium temperature | 979 K (706 °C) |
| Distance from Earth | 193.2 light-years (59.2 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Pictor |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) |
| Discovery year | 2024 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2024-08-30. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About TOI-286 b
Is TOI-286 b habitable?
No — TOI-286 b orbits too close to its star and is too hot for liquid water to exist on its surface.
How far away is TOI-286 b?
TOI-286 b is about 193 light-years from Earth in the constellation Pictor. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 3,400,320 years to get there.
How big is TOI-286 b compared to Earth?
TOI-286 b has 1.42 times the radius of Earth and about 4.5 times its mass.
How long is a year on TOI-286 b?
One orbit around TOI-286 takes 4.5 Earth days — short enough that 81 of its years would fit into one Earth year.