Kepler-246 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-246 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-246, located approximately 2042 light-years (626.08 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0274% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.5 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.86 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.67 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.27 g⊕ (12.45 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.4 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-246, Kepler-246 c completes one full revolution every 11.187 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.095 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 92.4 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 667 K (+394°C / +741°F) and receiving 43.21 S⊕ (~58,806 W/m²), Kepler-246 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-246 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,206 K, a radius of 0.831 R☉, a mass of 0.853 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.455 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.26 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.2 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-246 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.197 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-246 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-246 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-246 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-246 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,206 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8310 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8530 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.455 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.200 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.260 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.197 · G: 15.042 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.095000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 11.187 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 92.4 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.1000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.67 g/cm³ (15.4 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 43.2080 S⊕ (~58,806 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2042.000 LY (626.078 pc) |