description Kepler-10b Overview
Announced in 2011, Kepler-10b was the first confirmed rocky exoplanet discovered by NASA's Kepler space telescope. It is an ultrashort-period planet, completing a full orbit around its host star in less than a single Earth day. With a density comparable to solid iron, it is categorized as a super-Earth. Its extreme proximity to its host star likely results in a molten surface, classifying it as a lava world.
help Kepler-10b FAQ
How was Kepler-10b discovered?
Kepler-10b was discovered by NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, which uses transit photometry to detect the minute dips in a star's brightness caused by an orbiting planet. It was announced in 2011 as the first fully confirmed rocky planet found outside our solar system.
How long is a year on Kepler-10b?
A year on Kepler-10b is incredibly short, taking less than one Earth day—approximately 0.84 days—to complete a full orbit around its host star. Because it is so close to the star, the planet is tidally locked, meaning one side is in perpetual daylight while the other is in permanent darkness.
Can humans live on Kepler-10b?
No, Kepler-10b is completely inhospitable to life as we know it due to its extreme proximity to its host star. The day-side surface temperature is estimated to be over 1,300 degrees Celsius (2,500 degrees Fahrenheit), hot enough to melt iron.
How big is Kepler-10b compared to Earth?
Kepler-10b is roughly 1.4 times the radius of Earth, making it a super-Earth in terms of physical dimensions. However, its mass is significantly higher, giving it a density comparable to solid iron, which suggests it might be the solid core of a gas giant that lost its atmosphere.
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