Kepler-334 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-334 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-334, located approximately 1391.3 light-years (426.59 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0151% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.43 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.63 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.96 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.29 g⊕ (12.65 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.2 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-334, Kepler-334 c completes one full revolution every 12.758 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.107 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 91.2 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 822 K (+549°C / +1020°F) and receiving 97.21 S⊕ (~132,303 W/m²), Kepler-334 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-334 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,828 K, a radius of 1.068 R☉, a mass of 1.022 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.181 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.75 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.012 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-334 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 12.834 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-334 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-334 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-334 b, Kepler-334 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-334 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,828 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.0680 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0220 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.181 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.012 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.750 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 12.834 · G: 12.730 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.107000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 12.758 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 91.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9700° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.96 g/cm³ (15.2 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 97.2100 S⊕ (~132,303 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1391.300 LY (426.590 pc) |