Kepler-262 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-262 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-262, located approximately 1999.8 light-years (613.13 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0291% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.64 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.33 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.16 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.24 g⊕ (12.16 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.9 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-262, Kepler-262 c completes one full revolution every 21.854 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.152 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 75.7 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 618 K (+345°C / +653°F) and receiving 25.26 S⊕ (~34,379 W/m²), Kepler-262 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-262 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,841 K, a radius of 0.881 R☉, a mass of 0.816 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.811 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.55 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.338 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-262 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.478 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-262 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-262 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-262 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-262 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,841 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8810 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.8160 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.811 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.338 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.550 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.478 · G: 14.224 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.152000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 21.854 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 75.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.9500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.16 g/cm³ (15.9 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 25.2600 S⊕ (~34,379 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1999.800 LY (613.129 pc) |