Kepler-94 and Its Two Worlds

Kepler-94 is an M-type main-sequence dwarf, a small, cool red star, located 626 light-years away. Its spectral type is M0 V. The star is 1.41 billion years old, has a mass of 0.81 solar masses, a radius of 0.76 solar radii, and a temperature of 4780 K. Its reported mass estimate is smaller than the Sun's, its reported radius estimate is smaller than the Sun's, and its reported temperature is cooler than the Sun's. Two planets are known to orbit this host.

Kepler-94 b was discovered in 2014 by the transit method, which detects the small dip in a star's brightness when a planet passes in front of it from our viewpoint. This Neptune-like planet has a mass of 10.8 Earth masses, a radius of 3.51 Earth radii, and an orbital period of 2.51 days. Its reported mass estimate is larger than Earth's, and its reported radius estimate is also larger than Earth's. Its mean density is 1.38 g/cm³, 0.251 times Earth's. Among the listed planets, Kepler-94 b has the shortest year, at 2.51 days, and the smallest reported mass, at 10.8 Earth masses.

Kepler-94 c was also discovered in 2014, but by the radial velocity method, which measures the wobble a planet's gravity induces in its star's motion; repeated wobbles reveal the planet and its orbital period. This planet has a mass of 3130 Earth masses and an orbital period of 820 days. Its reported mass estimate is larger than Earth's and roughly 9.84 times Jupiter's mass. Among the listed planets, Kepler-94 c has the longest year, at 820 days, and the largest reported mass, at 3130 Earth masses.