Kepler-106 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-106 c is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-106, located approximately 1449.2 light-years (444.32 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0486% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.5 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 10.44 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.68 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.67 g⊕ (16.38 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 22.9 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-106, Kepler-106 c completes one full revolution every 13.571 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.10987 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 88.1 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). The orbit is modeled as circular (e = 0.00), maintaining a constant stellar distance throughout its year.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 785 K (+512°C / +954°F) and receiving 96.91 S⊕ (~131,888 W/m²), Kepler-106 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-106 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,858 K, a radius of 1.04 R☉, a mass of 1 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.143 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 4.83 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.12 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-106 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 12.923 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-106 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 4 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-106 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-106 b, Kepler-106 d, Kepler-106 e.
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: Kepler · Catalogue Source: NASA Exoplanet Archive (IPAC / Caltech).
☀️ Host Star Telemetry
| Host Star Name | Kepler-106 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,858 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.0400 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0000 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.143 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.120 dex |
| Stellar Age | 4.830 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 12.923 · G: 12.839 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 4 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.109870 AU |
| Orbital Period | 13.571 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 88.1 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 87.0700° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.68 g/cm³ (22.9 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 96.9050 S⊕ (~131,888 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1449.200 LY (444.322 pc) |