Kepler-179 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-179 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-179, located approximately 1975.5 light-years (605.68 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0584% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 4.66 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.21 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.17 g⊕ (11.47 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.1 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-179, Kepler-179 c completes one full revolution every 6.4 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.064 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 108.8 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 810 K (+537°C / +999°F) and receiving 115.98 S⊕ (~157,853 W/m²), Kepler-179 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-179 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,302 K, a radius of 0.759 R☉, a mass of 0.893 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.408 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.74 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.12 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-179 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.772 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-179 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-179 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-179 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-179 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,302 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.7590 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8930 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.408 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.120 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.740 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.772 · G: 14.603 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.064000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 6.4 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 108.8 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 85.8300° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.21 g/cm³ (17.1 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 115.9830 S⊕ (~157,853 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1975.500 LY (605.680 pc) |