Kepler-362 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-362 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-362, located approximately 3556.8 light-years (1090.51 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0339% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.45 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 2.7 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.88 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.28 g⊕ (12.55 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-362, Kepler-362 c completes one full revolution every 37.866 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.207 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 59.5 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 543 K (+270°C / +518°F) and receiving 36.67 S⊕ (~49,904 W/m²), Kepler-362 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-362 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,788 K, a radius of 0.722 R☉, a mass of 0.904 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.525 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 12.88 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.12 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-362 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.608 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-362 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-362 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-362 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-362 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,788 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.7220 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9040 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.525 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.120 dex |
| Stellar Age | 12.880 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.608 · G: 14.486 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.207000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 37.866 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 59.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.8300° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.88 g/cm³ (15.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 36.6670 S⊕ (~49,904 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3556.800 LY (1090.510 pc) |