Kepler-260 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-260 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-260, located approximately 2046.2 light-years (627.37 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0342% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.74 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.68 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.85 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.22 g⊕ (11.96 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-260, Kepler-260 c completes one full revolution every 76.05 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.332 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 47.5 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 372 K (+99°C / +210°F) and receiving 6.78 S⊕ (~9,221 W/m²), Kepler-260 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-260 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,250 K, a radius of 0.862 R☉, a mass of 1.013 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.506 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.15 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.29 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-260 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.253 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-260 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-260 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-260 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-260 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,250 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8620 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0130 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.506 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.290 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.150 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.253 · G: 14.118 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.332000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 76.05 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 47.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9900° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.85 g/cm³ (16.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 6.7750 S⊕ (~9,221 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2046.200 LY (627.365 pc) |