K2-229b

K2-229b is a terrestrial exoplanet orbiting the star K2-229, located approximately 340 light-years away in the constellation Virgo. It was discovered in 2018 using data from the Kepler space telescope's K2 mission.

K2-229b is notable for its relatively small size and high density, suggesting a large iron core. Its radius is about 1.16 times that of Earth, and its mass is estimated to be around 2.59 times Earth's mass. This gives it a density significantly higher than Earth's, implying a core that makes up a substantial fraction of the planet's mass.

The planet orbits its host star very closely, with an orbital period of only about 14 hours. This proximity results in extremely high surface temperatures, estimated to be above 2,000 degrees Celsius, making it unlikely to be habitable.

The K2-229 system also includes two other confirmed exoplanets, K2-229c and K2-229d, which have longer orbital periods and are located further from the star. The presence of K2-229b and its unusual characteristics have led to further investigations into the formation and evolution of planetary systems, particularly those containing ultra-short period planets (USPs). Studying planets like K2-229b helps astronomers understand the diversity of planetary compositions and the processes that shape them.