Kepler-46 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-46 c is a confirmed gas giant exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-46, located approximately 2534.4 light-years (777.06 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2012 by Kepler using the Transit Timing Variations detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 1.741% across the stellar disk), this world measures 13.5 Earth radii (1.2 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 119.499 Earth masses (0.38 Jupiter masses). Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 0.27 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.66 g⊕ (6.47 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 33.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-46, Kepler-46 c completes one full revolution every 57.011 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.2799 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 53.4 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). With a near-circular eccentricity of e = 0.0146 (ranging from 0.2758 AU at periapsis to 0.284 AU at apoapsis), the planet experiences minimal orbital distance variation.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 455 K (+182°C / +360°F) and receiving 7.10 S⊕ (~9,657 W/m²), Kepler-46 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-46 is classified as an orange K-type star of spectral type K with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,155 K, a radius of 0.938 R☉, a mass of 0.902 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.557 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 9.7 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.41 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-46 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 15.312 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-46 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-46 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-46 d, Kepler-46 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-46 |
| Spectral Type | K |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,155 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9380 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.9020 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.557 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.410 dex |
| Stellar Age | 9.700 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 15.312 · G: 15.255 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.279900 AU |
| Orbital Period | 57.011 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 53.4 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.01460 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 87.4000° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 0.27 g/cm³ (33.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 7.0957 S⊕ (~9,657 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 2534.400 LY (777.060 pc) |