Kepler-1606 b is the most distant planet on Lisa Kaltenegger’s list of 45 top candidates. Located approximately 2,700 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus, it represents one of the farthest “Earth-like” worlds we have successfully identified.
Key Physical Characteristics
- Planet Type: Terrestrial (rocky) Super-Earth.
- Size: It is significantly larger than Earth, with a radius about 2.07 times that of our planet.
- Orbit: It completes one orbit around its star every 196 Earth days.
- The Star: Kepler-1606 is a G-type star, making it a yellow dwarf very similar to our own Sun.
Habitability & Environment
In Kaltenegger’s research, Kepler-1606 b is used to study the upper limits of planetary size and distance:
- Location: It sits within the Habitable Zone of its Sun-like star.
- Energy Intake: It receives a level of starlight that could support liquid water, provided the planet has a stable surface and atmosphere.
- Gravity: Because it is twice the size of Earth, the gravity would be intense. You would feel much heavier, and the planet would have an immense capability to hold onto a very thick, dense atmosphere.
- Surface Mystery: At over 2 Earth radii, this planet is at the “threshold.” Scientists are still debating if it has a solid rocky surface or if it is a “Gas Dwarf” (a small version of Neptune). Kaltenegger’s 3D models help determine if a solid surface is possible under these conditions.
Scientific Significance
- Sun-Like Benchmark: Like Kepler-452 b, this planet is rare because it orbits a Sun-like star. This means it does not suffer from the violent radiation flares or tidal locking issues common to red dwarf systems.
- Testing the “Radius Gap”: This planet is a crucial data point for understanding the transition between rocky worlds and gas worlds. If it is rocky, it would be one of the largest “Super-Earths” ever found.
- Discovery: It was discovered by the Kepler Space Telescope using the transit method. Despite its vast distance, its large size made it detectable as it passed in front of its distant sun.
