Kepler-285 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-285 c is a confirmed terrestrial exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-285, located approximately 2688.5 light-years (824.31 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0161% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.12 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 1.46 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 5.73 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.16 g⊕ (11.38 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 12.8 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-285, Kepler-285 c completes one full revolution every 6.187 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 112.5 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 851 K (+578°C / +1072°F) and receiving 137.07 S⊕ (~186,550 W/m²), Kepler-285 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-285 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,411 K, a radius of 0.808 R☉, a mass of 0.915 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.502 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.88 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.17 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-285 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.198 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-285 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-285 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-285 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-285 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,411 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.8080 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9150 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.502 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.170 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.880 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.198 · G: 15.152 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.064000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 6.187 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 112.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9500° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 5.73 g/cm³ (12.8 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 137.0680 S⊕ (~186,550 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2688.500 LY (824.310 pc) |