Kepler-2001 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-2001 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-2001, located approximately 2532.8 light-years (776.55 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2023 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.047% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.82 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.97 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.63 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.2 g⊕ (11.77 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.5 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-2001, Kepler-2001 c completes one full revolution every 14.093 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.1084 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 83.7 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 597 K (+324°C / +615°F) and receiving 30.10 S⊕ (~40,966 W/m²), Kepler-2001 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-2001 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,081 K, a radius of 0.77 R☉, a mass of 0.864 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.355 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 4 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.12 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-2001 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.981 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-2001 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-2001 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-2001 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-2001 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,081 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.7700 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8640 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.355 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.120 dex |
| Stellar Age | 4.000 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.981 · G: 15.773 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.108400 AU |
| Orbital Period | 14.093 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 83.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.4500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.63 g/cm³ (16.5 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 30.1000 S⊕ (~40,966 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2532.800 LY (776.550 pc) |