Kepler-295: A Distant Star With Three Earth-Like Planets

Kepler-295 is a star located 5540 light-years away. It is 4.79 billion years old, with a mass of 0.89 solar masses and a radius of 0.86 solar radii. Its temperature is 5410 K, and its reported mass, radius, and temperature are all smaller or cooler than the Sun's. Three planets orbit this host, all discovered in 2014 by the transit method, in which a planet passes in front of its star from our viewpoint and causes a small dip in observed brightness.

All three planets are classified as Earth-like, meaning their radii stay within 1.5 times Earth's radius. Kepler-295 b has a radius of 1.22 Earth radii and an orbital period of 12.6 days, the shortest year among the listed planets. Kepler-295 c has a radius of 1.17 Earth radii, the smallest among the listed planets, and an orbital period of 21.5 days, the second-shortest year. Kepler-295 d has a radius of 1.36 Earth radii, the largest among the listed planets, and an orbital period of 33.9 days, the longest year.