Kepler-462 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-462 c is a confirmed sub-neptune exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-462, located approximately 1945.9 light-years (596.63 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2018 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0546% across the stellar disk), this world measures 4 Earth radii (0.36 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 6 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 0.52 g/cm³ (a low bulk density dominated by an extended hydrogen-helium gaseous envelope), a surface gravity of 0.38 g⊕ (3.73 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 13.7 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-462, Kepler-462 c completes one full revolution every 207.62 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.7584 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 39.7 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). Its moderate orbital eccentricity of e = 0.11 carries the world between 0.675 AU at periapsis and 0.8418 AU at apoapsis, driving measurable seasonal insolation cycles.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 453 K (+180°C / +356°F) and receiving 9.97 S⊕ (~13,569 W/m²), Kepler-462 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-462 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 7,500 K, a radius of 1.57 R☉, a mass of 1.59 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 6.997 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.5 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.05 dex (near-solar heavy-element abundance). From Earth, Kepler-462 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 11.632 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-462 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-462 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-462 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-462 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 7,500 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.5700 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.5900 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 6.997 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.050 dex |
| Stellar Age | 0.500 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 11.632 · G: 11.615 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.758400 AU |
| Orbital Period | 207.62 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 39.7 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.11000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.6300° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 0.52 g/cm³ (13.7 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 9.9700 S⊕ (~13,569 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 1945.900 LY (596.625 pc) |