Kepler-374 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-374 c is a confirmed terrestrial exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-374, located approximately 4127.9 light-years (1265.61 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2014 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0123% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.1 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 1.37 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 5.68 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.13 g⊕ (11.08 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 12.5 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-374, Kepler-374 c completes one full revolution every 3.283 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.042 AU (an ultra-close orbit less than one-seventh of Mercury's 0.387 AU distance from the Sun, where strong stellar tidal forces typically induce synchronous rotation). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 139.2 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 1467 K (+1194°C / +2181°F) and receiving 966.59 S⊕ (~1,315,530 W/m²), Kepler-374 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-374 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,977 K, a radius of 0.911 R☉, a mass of 1.033 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.95 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 8.51 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.111 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-374 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.701 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-374 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-374 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-374 b, Kepler-374 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-374 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,977 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9110 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0330 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.95 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.111 dex |
| Stellar Age | 8.510 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.701 · G: 14.661 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.042000 AU |
| Orbital Period | 3.283 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 139.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.8200° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 5.68 g/cm³ (12.5 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 966.5910 S⊕ (~1,315,530 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4127.900 LY (1265.610 pc) |