Artist impression. No real image of K2-18 b exists yet.
exoplanet · 124 light years from Earth
K2-18 b
A sub-Neptune in its red dwarf's habitable zone, a candidate 'hycean' ocean world under a hydrogen sky.
- Type
- Exoplanet
- Orbits
- K2-18
- Distance
- 124 light years
- Diameter
- about 33,200 km (estimated)
- Constellation
- Leo
- Discovered
- 2015
- Rotation
- Tidally locked: one side always faces its star
About K2-18 b
- The James Webb Space Telescope detected methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere.
- Some astronomers think it could be a 'hycean' world, an ocean under a hydrogen sky; others disagree.
- It sits in the habitable zone of its red dwarf.
Visit K2-18 b in VR
In IKAREE, K2-18 b is one of 31 destinations modelled in detail. Sit in the captain's chair, give the order and watch it grow on the main viewscreen. Then send a survey probe and ride its camera down, or ask your science officer what the sensors show.
How to get there
- CaptainHelm, set a course for K2-18 b. Warp seven. Engage.
- Brooks · HelmCourse laid in for K2-18 b. Warp seven. Engaging.
- CaptainScience, full analysis of K2-18 b.
- Hart · ScienceRunning it now, Captain.
