rho CrB e
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
rho CrB e is a confirmed super-earth exoplanet orbiting the star rho CrB, located approximately 57 light-years (17.47 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2023 by Lowell Observatory using the Radial Velocity detection technique (measuring periodic Doppler reflex motion in the host star's spectrum), this world measures 1.75 Earth radii and has a measured mass of 3.71 Earth masses. Combining its mass and radius yields a mean bulk density of 3.82 g/cm³ (an intermediate density indicative of a deep water-ice mantle or dense volatile envelope), a surface gravity of 1.21 g⊕ (11.87 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 16.3 km/s.
In its orbital architecture around rho CrB, rho CrB e completes one full revolution every 12.904 Earth days at a semi-major axis of 0.1061 AU (orbiting interior to Mercury's 0.387 AU benchmark in the Solar System). Its mean orbital velocity is approximately 89.5 km/s (compared to Earth's 29.8 km/s). Its moderate orbital eccentricity of e = 0.082 carries the world between 0.0974 AU at periapsis and 0.1148 AU at apoapsis, driving measurable seasonal insolation cycles.
⚠️ Thermal Regime (Irradiated / Hot Zone): At an equilibrium temperature of 1005 K (+732°C / +1350°F) and receiving 151.55 S⊕ (~206,256 W/m²), rho CrB e orbits interior to the runaway greenhouse boundary where surface liquid water cannot persist.
The host star rho CrB is classified as a solar-type yellow star of spectral type G0 with an effective photospheric temperature of 5,817 K, a radius of 1.3617 R☉, a mass of 1 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 1.905 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 10.2 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.2 dex (metal-poor relative to the Sun). From Earth, rho CrB shines at apparent V-band magnitude 5.408 (visible to the unaided human eye under dark skies) in the Northern celestial hemisphere. The rho CrB system is a multi-planet architecture hosting 3 confirmed worlds, with rho CrB e sharing its stellar neighborhood alongside rho CrB b, rho CrB c.
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: Lowell Observatory · Catalogue Source: NASA Exoplanet Archive (IPAC / Caltech).
☀️ Host Star Telemetry
| Host Star Name | rho CrB |
| Spectral Type | G0 |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 5,817 K |
| Stellar Radius | 1.3617 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 1.0000 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 1.905 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | -0.200 dex |
| Stellar Age | 10.200 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 5.408 · G: 5.242 |
| System Architecture | 1 Star, 3 Planets |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 0.106100 AU |
| Orbital Period | 12.904 days |
| Mean Orbital Velocity | 89.5 km/s |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | 0.08200 |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | — |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.82 g/cm³ (16.3 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 151.5473 S⊕ (~206,256 W/m²) |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 57.000 LY (17.467 pc) |