Kepler-1491 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-1491 c is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-1491, located approximately 6737 light-years (2065.59 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2023 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0259% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.44 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 6.53 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.48 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.1 g⊕ (10.79 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 18.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-1491, Kepler-1491 c completes one full revolution every 61.57 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.3045 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 53.8 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 530 K (+257°C / +495°F) and receiving 18.66 S⊕ (~25,396 W/m²), Kepler-1491 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-1491 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,626 K, a radius of 1.389 R☉, a mass of 0.991 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.734 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 4.57 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.14 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-1491 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.796 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-1491 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-1491 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-1491 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: Kepler · Catalogue Source: NASA Exoplanet Archive (IPAC / Caltech).
☀️ Host Star Telemetry
| Host Star Name | Kepler-1491 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,626 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.3890 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9910 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.734 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.140 dex |
| Stellar Age | 4.570 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.796 · G: 15.570 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.304500 AU |
| Orbital Period | 61.57 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 53.8 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.3500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.48 g/cm³ (18.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 18.6600 S⊕ (~25,396 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 6737.000 LY (2065.590 pc) |