KOI-4878.01 is an unconfirmed extrasolar planet that orbits the F-type main-sequence star KOI-4878. It is located about 1075 light years (329 parsecs) from Earth[1]. The characteristics of the planet are very similar to that of Earth, and if it is confirmed, would have an Earth Similarity Index rating of 98%, which makes it one of the most Earth-like planets found. The orbital period of the planet is around 449 Earth days. It is very likely located within the habitable zone of its star.
Characteristics and habitability
KOI-4878.01 has an Earth Similarity Index of 98%, which is the highest that has been found. The estimated characteristics of the planet are similar to an Earth analog, although it is unconfirmed. It completes an orbit around its host star every 449 Earth days. Its host star is an F-type main-sequence star that is slightly less massive than the Sun, although it is about 5% larger and has a temperature of about 6031 K. Based on this, KOI-4878.01 should be in the habitable zone of the star. It should be noted that even though the planet has a very high similarity on the "Earth Similarity Index", it does not guarantee that its habitable.
Its mass is somewhere between 0.4 - 3.0 Earth masses, likely about 0.99 Earth masses[2], and it has a slightly larger radius (1.04), and has an equilibrium temperature of 256 K (-16.5 °C; 2.3 °F), extremely similar to Earth's equilibrium temperature of 255 K (-18 °C; -1 °F), If the atmosphere is similar to Earth's, it will have an average surface temperature of 291 K (17.85°C; 64.13 °F), slightly higher than Earth's[3].
Comparison with Earth
| Property | KOI-4878.01 | Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Orbital period | 449.01499 days | 365.2563 days |
| Mass | ~0.99 Earth mass | 1 Earth mass |
| Radius | 1.04 Earth radius | 1 Earth radius |
| Semi-major axis | 1.12 AU | 1 AU |
| Equilibrium temperature | 256 K (-16.5 °C; 2.3 °F) | 255 K (-18 °C; -1 °F) |
References
- ↑ https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/cgi-bin/DisplayOverview/nph-DisplayOverview?objname=KOI-4878.01&type=KEPLER_CANDIDATE
- ↑ http://digital.csic.es/bitstream/10261/125578/55/16-Exoplanetas.pdf
- ↑ https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/cgi-bin/DisplayOverview/nph-DisplayOverview?objname=KOI-4878.01