Kepler-460 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-460 c is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star KIC 5437945, located approximately 4155.3 light-years (1274.01 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2016 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.1613% across the stellar disk), this world measures 5.52 Earth radii (0.49 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 26.1 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 0.86 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.86 g⊕ (8.43 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 24.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around KIC 5437945, Kepler-460 c completes one full revolution every 220.13 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.75318 AU (comparable to the inner terrestrial zone between Venus, Earth at 1.00 AU, and Mars at 1.52 AU). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 37.2 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 389 K (+116°C / +241°F) and receiving 7.40 S⊕ (~10,071 W/m²), Kepler-460 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star KIC 5437945 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,146 K, a radius of 1.26 R☉, a mass of 1.17 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 2.032 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 3.16 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.06 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, KIC 5437945 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 13.834 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The KIC 5437945 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-460 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside KIC 5437945 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 | KIC 5437945 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,146 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.2600 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.1700 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 2.032 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.060 dex |
| Stellar Age | 3.160 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 13.834 · G: 13.751 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.753180 AU |
| Orbital Period | 220.13 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 37.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9900° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 0.86 g/cm³ (24.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 7.4000 S⊕ (~10,071 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 4155.300 LY (1274.010 pc) |