Complete world information

Kepler-452b

Sometimes called an Earth cousin, although its size, composition and current status remain uncertain.

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Scientific status

No exoplanet is confirmed habitable or inhabited. Habitable-zone position only means that liquid surface water could be possible under the right atmospheric conditions. Rate the Earth percentages are editorial comparison scores, not scientific probabilities.

Rate the Earth habitability percentages are editorial comparison scores, not scientific proof of habitability or life.
NASA / Ames artist conceptDistant Earth-cousin concept
Rate the Earth habitability comparison41%
Potential candidate — not confirmed habitable
Probability of other life28%
Candidate for simple life
Distance modelApprox. 1,400 light-years

The listed value is the approximate present distance from Earth. Interstellar destinations move, but the difference is negligible compared with the enormous journey time at current spacecraft speeds.

One-way light time1,400 years

Minimum delay for information travelling at light speed.

Round-trip communication2,800 years

Approximate send-and-reply delay before processing time.

Real mission comparisonBeyond current mission capability

No spacecraft has travelled to this system

Host systemKepler-452Open the complete star-system information page →

Life potential

Could other life exist on Kepler-452b?

Kepler-452b is treated as a potentially habitable candidate, so this site assigns it a moderate editorial probability for simple non-human life.

Editorial probability of other life28%
Candidate for simple life

Why this score?

  • Rate the Earth habitability comparison score: 41%.
  • Atmosphere clue: Unknown.
  • Host-star context: G-type star.
  • The catalog flags this world as a potentially habitable candidate.

This probability is an editorial astrobiology estimate based on public characteristics, not a formal scientific measurement.

Complete data sheet

Everything listed for Kepler-452b

Measured values, estimates, discovery information and the main uncertainties are shown together below.

WorldKepler-452b
ClassificationSun-like-star super-Earth
Host systemKepler-452
Host starG-type star
Distance from EarthApprox. 1,400 light-years
Radius1.63 × Earth
MassAbout 3.29 × Earth (estimate)
GravityLikely above Earth
AtmosphereUnknown
TemperatureModel-dependent
Orbital period384.8 days
Discovery year2015
Discovery methodTransit
Habitability statusPotential candidate — not confirmed habitable
Candidate classificationPotentially habitable candidate — not confirmed habitable
Image statusNo resolved surface image; displayed visual is a labelled artist concept
DistanceAbout 1,400 light-years
RadiusAbout 1.63 × Earth
MassAbout 3.29 × Earth (estimate)
Orbital periodAbout 384.8 days

Travel calculation

How long would the journey take?

Straight-line arithmetic is compared with real mission history. Actual trajectories depend on orbital mechanics, acceleration, braking, launch windows and gravity assists.

At light speed1,400 years299,792 km/s

A physical reference only. A spacecraft with mass cannot reach light speed.

At 10% of light speed14,000 years29,979 km/s — hypothetical

No operational spacecraft can sustain this interstellar cruise speed.

At 1% of light speed140,000 years2,998 km/s — hypothetical

Still far beyond current spacecraft propulsion.

At Parker Solar Probe peak2.18 million yearsAbout 692,000 km/h

Parker reaches this speed only very close to the Sun; it is not an interstellar cruise speed.

At New Horizons launch speed25.81 million yearsAbout 58,536 km/h

A comparison using a real high-energy launch from Earth.

At Voyager 1 speed24.69 million yearsAbout 61,200 km/h

A practical comparison with a spacecraft already moving into interstellar space.

Research guide

What we know, and what we do not know

What is directly known

The planet itself is not resolved as a detailed globe. Its existence and properties are inferred mainly through transit, together with measurements of the host star.

What remains unknown

Surface geography, oceans, continents, clouds and living organisms have not been directly observed. Atmosphere and composition may also remain uncertain.

What is known

Kepler-452b was detected by transit around a G-type star with a year-like orbital period.

Habitability limits

Its large radius may imply a thick atmosphere or mini-Neptune-like nature, and detailed confirmation is difficult.

Why it stands out

Its Sun-like host and nearly year-long orbit make it culturally compelling despite scientific uncertainty.

Primary catalog source: NASA Science