Kepler-294 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-294 c is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-294, located approximately 4426 light-years (1357.01 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0648% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.71 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 7.8 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.16 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.06 g⊕ (10.4 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 19 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-294, Kepler-294 c completes one full revolution every 6.626 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.071 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 116.6 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 895 K (+622°C / +1152°F) and receiving 151.49 S⊕ (~206,179 W/m²), Kepler-294 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-294 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,913 K, a radius of 0.976 R☉, a mass of 0.947 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.045 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.98 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.11 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-294 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.948 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-294 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-294 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-294 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-294 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,913 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9760 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9470 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.045 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.110 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.980 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.948 · G: 15.819 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.071000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 6.626 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 116.6 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.6100° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.16 g/cm³ (19 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 151.4910 S⊕ (~206,179 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4426.000 LY (1357.010 pc) |