Kepler-297 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-297 c is a confirmed gas giant exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-297, located approximately 2257.5 light-years (692.14 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.4294% across the stellar disk), this world measures 6.54 Earth radii (0.58 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 42.1 Earth masses (0.13 Jupiter masses). Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 0.83 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.98 g⊕ (9.61 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 28.4 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-297, Kepler-297 c completes one full revolution every 74.92 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.336 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 48.8 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 409 K (+136°C / +277°F) and receiving 6.86 S⊕ (~9,336 W/m²), Kepler-297 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-297 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,619 K, a radius of 0.915 R☉, a mass of 0.927 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.749 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 1.9 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.11 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-297 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.326 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-297 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-297 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-297 b, Kepler-297 d.
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-297 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,619 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9150 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9270 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.749 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.110 dex |
| Stellar Age | 1.900 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.326 · G: 14.192 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.336000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 74.92 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 48.8 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.4700° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 0.83 g/cm³ (28.4 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 6.8600 S⊕ (~9,336 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2257.500 LY (692.140 pc) |