Kepler-372 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-372 c is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-372, located approximately 4872.6 light-years (1493.95 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0284% across the stellar disk), this world measures 2.09 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 5.02 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.03 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.15 g⊕ (11.28 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 17.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-372, Kepler-372 c completes one full revolution every 20.054 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.154 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 83.5 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 755 K (+482°C / +900°F) and receiving 91.88 S⊕ (~125,050 W/m²), Kepler-372 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-372 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,509 K, a radius of 1.137 R☉, a mass of 1.202 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.082 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 2.349 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.13 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-372 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.928 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-372 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-372 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-372 b, Kepler-372 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-372 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,509 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.1370 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.2020 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.082 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.130 dex |
| Stellar Age | 2.349 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.928 · G: 14.834 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.154000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 20.054 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 83.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 83.7100° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.03 g/cm³ (17.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 91.8810 S⊕ (~125,050 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4872.600 LY (1493.950 pc) |