The search for an extrasolar Earth Project Exoplanet

Kepler-60 The stellar system I was assigned for my project was Kepler-60. Its star is roughly the same size and mass as our sun, with 1.11 times the suns mass and 1.5 times the suns radius. The system has three major planets identified, Kepler-60b, c, and d. They all orbit extremely closely to their star, the furthest lies half the distance between Mercury and the Sun. Kepler-60b’s orbit is only .075 AU away from Kepler-60 at its semimajor axis, Kepler-60c is .087 AU and Kepler-60d is .106 AU. Each planet is also much more massive than the Earth with masses varying from 79 earth masses to 219 earth masses.

Kepler-60b The average surface temperature is estimated to be 1205 degrees Kelvin, much too hot to sustain anything like human life. The planet has 79 times the mass of the Earth and twice the radius, so its surface gravity would be more than 15 times the gravity of Earth. Kepler-60b has the potential to have an atmosphere, but considering its proximity to its star it is not likely it has developed a atmosphere. Its unlikely this planet has any major shifts in temperature to signify a summer and a winter. The density of the planet is 6.7 times the density of the Earth, which indicates the planet is a terrestrial.

Kepler-60c This planet is very similar to 60b in mass, radius and orbital distance. Its orbit is only .087 AU from its star, barely outside the orbit of 60c 60c’s gravity is 30 times that of Earth. Its surface temperature is 1119 degrees Kelvin, still far to hot to sustain Earth-like life It is unlikely that this planet has an atmosphere, its too close and too dense. 60c is 12 times the density of the Earth, making it a terrestrial planet.

Kepler-60d This planet is also similar to its sibling planets in radius, orbital radius and mass. The surface temperature is still 1014 degrees Kelvin, which is still quite warm. The surface gravity on 60d is 33 times the gravity of Earth, which could crush pretty much anything. This planet has no more likely of having an atmosphere as the other two planets. Summer and winter seasons are probably nonexistent on this world due to its fairly circular orbit.

Sky Location This is roughly the location of my star in the sky. 19hrs 20min 19hrs This is roughly the location of my star in the sky. The star is too dim to be included in skygazer, so I used a symbol from paint to represent its approximate position relative to other stars viewed from Earth. +43* +42*

Simulations Any changes in orbital distance and eccentricity are due to the gravity simulator itself, it appears the system is unstable in its most recent observation.

Simulations This simulation show the system edge on with planet transits.

Simulation This is a view of Kepler-60 from above relative to other

Graph for Kepler-60 This graph shows the pattern of Kepler-60 movement due to its planets.

Graph for Kepler-60b Kepler-60b’s period of orbit is given by the graph on the left. This tells us how often 60b orbits Kepler-60.

Graph for 6oc The data on the right describes the way Kepler-60c moves around Kepler-60.

Graph for 60d Diagram of Kepler-60d’s period of revolution.

Combined Motion These data describe the inverted motion of the Kepler-60 caused by its planets.

Potential Earth-Like Planets Kepler-159c. Its surface temperature is a little too warm, but it is not outside of the possibility for human life. Kepler-296f. This planet is a very likely candidate, its close to the right temperature and the right size. Kepler-309c. Close in temperature, but a little large. Kepler-30d. Its temperature is nearly identical to the Earth, but it is likely that it is a gas planet. Kepler-61b. The planet may have an uncomfortably high gravity but the surface temperature is close enough to be viable. Kepler-69c. This planet’s surface temperature and size could prove to be too high, but it still has potential.