Kepler-59 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Kepler-59 c is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star Kepler-59, located approximately 3793.9 light-years (1163.22 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2012 by Kepler using the Transit detection technique (producing an estimated primary transit depth of 0.0373% across the stellar disk), this world measures 1.98 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.81 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 2.71 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 0.97 g⊕ (9.51 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 15.5 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around Kepler-59, Kepler-59 c completes one full revolution every 17.98 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.13114 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 79.3 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 752 K (+479°C / +894°F) and receiving 107.74 S⊕ (~146,636 W/m²), Kepler-59 c orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star Kepler-59 is classified as a stellar host with an effective photospheric temperature of 6,074 K, a radius of 0.94 R☉, a mass of 1.04 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.079 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.26 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.2 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, Kepler-59 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 14.467 (faint and requiring research-grade or CCD telescopic photometry) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The Kepler-59 system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 2 confirmed worlds, with Kepler-59 c sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside Kepler-59 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-59 |
| Spectral Type | Unclassified |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 6,074 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.9400 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0400 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.079 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.200 dex |
| Stellar Age | 0.260 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 14.467 · G: 14.279 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 2 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.131140 AU |
| Orbital Period | 17.98 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 79.3 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.00000 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | 88.0600° |
| Mean Bulk Density | 2.71 g/cm³ (15.5 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 107.7410 S⊕ (~146,636 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 3793.900 LY (1163.220 pc) |