Kepler-148 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-148 c is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-148, located approximately 2580.4 light-years (791.16 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.1504% across the stellar disk), this world measures 3.6 Earth radii (0.32 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 12.6 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 1.49 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.97 g⊕ (9.51 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 20.9 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-148, Kepler-148 c completes one full revolution every 4.18 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.05 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 130.1 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 957 K (+684°C / +1263°F) and receiving 187.20 S⊕ (~254,775 W/m²), Kepler-148 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-148 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,272 K, a radius of 0.851 R☉, a mass of 0.86 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.502 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 11.2 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.14 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-148 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.398 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-148 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-148 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-148 b, Kepler-148 d.
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-148 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,272 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8510 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8600 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.502 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.140 dex |
| Stellar Age | 11.200 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.398 · G: 15.336 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.050000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 4.18 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 130.1 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.8000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 1.49 g/cm³ (20.9 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 187.1970 S⊕ (~254,775 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2580.400 LY (791.163 pc) |