Kepler-174 and Its Three Worlds

Kepler-174 is a star located 1250 light-years away, and three planets have been reported orbiting it. The host star is estimated to be 4.9 billion years old, with a reported mass estimate of 0.71 solar masses and a reported radius estimate of 0.68 solar radii. Its reported temperature is 4950 K. Each of these stellar measurements is smaller or cooler than the corresponding value for the Sun.

All three planets were discovered by the transit method in 2014. A transit occurs when a planet passes in front of its star from our viewpoint, causing a small dip in observed brightness, and repeated dips help establish orbital periods. The planets are designated Kepler-174 b, Kepler-174 c, and Kepler-174 d.

Kepler-174 b is a Super-Earth with an orbital period of 14 days and a radius of 1.96 Earth radii. Kepler-174 c is classified as Earth-like, with an orbital period of 44 days and a radius of 1.49 Earth radii. Kepler-174 d, also a Super-Earth, has the longest reported year of the three at 247 days and a radius of 2.19 Earth radii. Each planet's reported radius estimate is larger than Earth's.