description K2-229b Overview
K2-229b is a confirmed rocky exoplanet discovered from transits in data from NASA's K2 mission and announced in 2018. It is slightly larger than Earth but has a high measured density, consistent with a composition containing an unusually large iron core and often compared with Mercury's interior. The planet circles a K-type star once in about 14 hours, so its surface environment is expected to be extremely hot and is not considered Earth-like.
help K2-229b FAQ
How was K2-229b discovered?
K2-229b was discovered from transit data collected by NASA's K2 mission. The discovery was announced in 2018.
Why is K2-229b compared with Mercury?
K2-229b is slightly larger than Earth but has a high measured density, indicating a large iron-rich interior. That composition has led researchers to compare it with Mercury, which also has an unusually large iron core.
Is K2-229b a gas giant or a rocky planet?
It is a confirmed rocky exoplanet. Its high density is consistent with a composition dominated by rock and an unusually large iron core.
What is the K2 mission's role in the discovery of K2-229b?
NASA's K2 space telescope measured the repeated dips in starlight caused by the planet's transits. Those observations identified K2-229b before follow-up work established its unusually dense nature.
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