Kepler-37d
Discovery[1]
Discovery siteKepler space telescope
Discovery date2013
Transit
Orbital characteristics[2]
0.2109±0.0030 AU
Eccentricity<0.10
39.7922622(65) d
Inclination89.335°+0.043°
−0.047°
StarKepler-37
Physical characteristics[2]
Mean radius
2.030+0.030
−0.039 R🜨
Mass5.4±1.4 M🜨[3] or <2.0 M🜨[2]
Mean density
4.29+0.52
−0.74 g/cm3[3] or <1.3 g/cm3[2]
Temperature499±7 K (226 °C; 439 °F, equilibrium)

Kepler-37d is an exoplanet discovered by the Kepler space telescope in February 2013.[4] It is located 209 light years away,[5] in the constellation Lyra.[4] With an orbital period of 39.8 days,[3] it is the largest of the three known planets orbiting its parent star Kepler-37.[6]

A 2021 study detected Kepler-37d via radial velocity, finding a mass of about 5.4 ME,[3] but a 2023 study instead found an upper limit on its mass of only 2 ME.[2] In either case, it is not a rocky planet, but a low-density planet rich in volatiles.

In 2015, a grant was approved to further expand the Sagan Planet Walk by installing a Kepler-37d station on the Moon 384,500 kilometers (238,900 mi) away.[7][8]

Host star

Main article: Kepler-37

The planet orbits a (G-type) star similar to the Sun, named Kepler-37, orbited by a total of four planets. The star has a mass of 0.80 M☉ and a radius of 0.79 R☉. It has a temperature of 5417 K and is 5.66 billion years old. In comparison, the Sun is 4.6 billion years old,[9] and has a temperature of 5778 K.[10]

The star's apparent magnitude, or how bright it appears from Earth's perspective, is 9.71. Therefore, it is too dim to be seen with the naked eye.

See also

References

  1. ^ Barclay, T.; Rowe, J. F.; Lissauer, J. J.; Huber, D.; Fressin, F.; Howell, S. B.; Bryson, S. T.; Chaplin, W. J.; Désert, J. M. (2013-02-20). "A sub-Mercury-sized exoplanet". Nature. 494 (7438): 452–4. arXiv:1305.5587. Bibcode:2013Natur.494..452B. doi:10.1038/nature11914. ISSN 0028-0836. PMID 23426260. S2CID 205232792.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bonomo, A. S.; Dumusque, X.; et al. (April 2023). "Cold Jupiters and improved masses in 38 Kepler and K2 small-planet systems from 3661 high-precision HARPS-N radial velocities. No excess of cold Jupiters in small-planet systems". Astronomy & Astrophysics. arXiv:2304.05773. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202346211. S2CID 258078829.
  3. ^ a b c d Rajpaul, V. M.; Buchhave, L. A.; Lacedelli, G.; Rice, K.; Mortier, A.; Malavolta, L.; Aigrain, S.; Borsato, L.; Mayo, A. W.; Charbonneau, D.; Damasso, M.; Dumusque, X.; Ghedina, A.; Latham, D. W.; López-Morales, M.; Magazzù, A.; Micela, G.; Molinari, E.; Pepe, F.; Piotto, G.; Poretti, E.; Rowther, S.; Sozzetti, A.; Udry, S.; Watson, C. A. (2021), "A HARPS-N mass for the elusive Kepler-37d: A case study in disentangling stellar activity and planetary signals", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 507 (2): 1847–1868, arXiv:2107.13900, doi:10.1093/mnras/stab2192
  4. ^ a b Black, Charles. "NASA's Kepler discovers small planet system". SEN TV LIMITED. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  5. ^ Vallenari, A.; et al. (Gaia collaboration) (2023). "Gaia Data Release 3. Summary of the content and survey properties". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 674: A1. arXiv:2208.00211. Bibcode:2023A&A...674A...1G. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202243940. S2CID 244398875. Gaia DR3 record for this source at VizieR.
  6. ^ Harwood, William. "Kepler telescope spots smallest exoplanet yet". Spaceflight Now Inc. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  7. ^ "Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Planning Board" (PDF). Tompkins County NY. April 15, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
  8. ^ "Kepler-37d".
  9. ^ Fraser Cain (16 September 2008). "How Old is the Sun?". Universe Today. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
  10. ^ Fraser Cain (15 September 2008). "Temperature of the Sun". Universe Today. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
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