G 264-012 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
G 264-012 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star G 264-012, located approximately 52.2 light-years (16.01 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2021 by Calar Alto Observatory using the Radial Velocity detection technique (measuring periodic Doppler reflex motion in the host star's spectrum), this world measures 1.76 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.75 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.79 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.21 g⊕ (11.87 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around G 264-012, G 264-012 c completes one full revolution every 8.052 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.0525 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 70.9 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s).
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 387 K (+114°C / +237°F) and receiving 3.87 S⊕ (~5,267 W/m²), G 264-012 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star G 264-012 is classified as a low-mass red dwarf of spectral type M4.0 V with an effective photospheric temperature of 3,326 K, a radius of 0.305 R☉, a mass of 0.297 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.01 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.1 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, G 264-012 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.078 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The G 264-012 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with G 264-012 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside G 264-012 b.
Methodology: Computed using the Schulze-Makuch et al. (2011) weighted metric comparing physical interior (radius, estimated density) and surface thermal regime (escape velocity, equilibrium temperature).
Discovery Facility: Calar Alto Observatory · Catalogue Source: NASA Exoplanet Archive (IPAC / Caltech).
☀️ Host Star Telemetry
| Host Star Name | G 264-012 |
| Spectral Type | M4.0 V |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 3,326 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.3050 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.2970 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.01 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.100 dex |
| Stellar Age | — |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.078 · G: 11.762 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.052500 AU |
| Orbital Period | 8.052 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 70.9 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | Circular (0.00) |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | — |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.79 g/cm³ (16.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 3.8700 S⊕ (~5,267 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 52.200 LY (16.009 pc) |