Kepler-234 and Its Two Neptune-Like Planets

Kepler-234 is a star located 5650 light-years away. Its reported mass estimate is 1.11 solar masses, its reported radius estimate is 1.15 solar radii, and its reported temperature is 6000 K, all larger or hotter than the Sun's corresponding values. The star is 3.47 billion years old. Two planets are known to orbit it.

Both planets were 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; repeated dips help establish orbital periods. Kepler-234 b has an orbital period of 2.71 days and a radius of 3.7 Earth radii. Kepler-234 c has an orbital period of 7.21 days and a radius of 3.51 Earth radii. Among the listed planets, Kepler-234 b has the shortest year and the largest radius, while Kepler-234 c has the longest year and the smallest radius. Both radii are larger than Earth's. As Neptune-like planets, their size classifications describe radius rather than composition.

Kepler-234 b and Kepler-234 c complete their orbits in 2.71 and 7.21 days, respectively.