Kepler-501 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-501 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-501, located approximately 3670 light-years (1125.24 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2021 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0161% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.681 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.47 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 4.03 g/cm³ (a terrestrial silicate-iron composition comparable to Earth (5.51 g/cm³)), a surface gravity of 1.23 g⊕ (12.06 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.1 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-501, Kepler-501 c completes one full revolution every 3.623 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.0467 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 140.2 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 1304 K (+1031°C / +1888°F) and receiving 683.84 S⊕ (~930,706 W/m²), Kepler-501 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-501 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,794 K, a radius of 1.216 R☉, a mass of 1.032 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.495 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.3 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = 0.14 dex (metal-rich relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-501 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.886 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-501 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-501 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-501 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-501 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,794 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.2160 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0320 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.495 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | 0.140 dex |
| Stellar Age | 0.300 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.886 · G: 14.730 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.046700 AU |
| Orbital Period | 3.623 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 140.2 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 89.9600° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 4.03 g/cm³ (16.1 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 683.8400 S⊕ (~930,706 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3670.000 LY (1125.240 pc) |