Ross 458 c
Astrophysical Synthesis & Habitability Characterization
Ross 458 c is a confirmed gas giant exoplanet orbiting the star Ross 458, located approximately 37.5 light-years (11.51 parsecs) from the Solar System. First announced in 2010 by Las Campanas Observatory using the Imaging detection technique (resolved directly via high-contrast coronagraphic or interferometric imaging), this world measures 14.011 Earth radii (1.25 Jupiter radii) and has a measured mass of 1906.98 Earth masses (6 Jupiter 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 9.71 g⊕ (95.22 m/s²), and an escape velocity of 130.5 km/s.
❄️ Thermal Regime (Cryogenic Zone): With an equilibrium temperature of 4 K (-269°C / -452°F), surface water and volatile species on Ross 458 c would remain locked in cryogenic ice phases unless warmed by subsurface tidal or radiogenic heating.
The host star Ross 458 is classified as a low-mass red dwarf of spectral type M2 with an effective photospheric temperature of 3,965 K, a radius of 0.5626 R☉, a mass of 0.5564 M☉, an estimated bolometric luminosity of 0.07 L☉. Stellar evolution modeling indicates an estimated stellar age of 0.5 Gyr. From Earth, Ross 458 shines at apparent V-band magnitude 9.76 (accessible to binoculars and small amateur telescopes) in the Northern celestial hemisphere.
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: Las Campanas Observatory · Catalogue Source: NASA Exoplanet Archive (IPAC / Caltech).
☀️ Host Star Telemetry
| Host Star Name | Ross 458 |
| Spectral Type | M2 |
| Effective Temp (Teff) | 3,965 K |
| Stellar Radius | 0.5626 R☉ |
| Stellar Mass | 0.5564 M☉ |
| Bolometric Luminosity | 0.07 L☉ |
| Metallicity [Fe/H] | — |
| Stellar Age | 0.500 Gyr |
| Apparent Magnitude | V: 9.760 · G: 8.908 |
| System Architecture | 2 Stars, 1 Planet |
🪐 Orbital & Physical Dynamics
| Semi-Major Axis (a) | 1100.000000 AU |
| Orbital Period | — |
| Orbital Eccentricity (e) | Circular (0.00) |
| Orbital Inclination (i) | — |
| Mean Bulk Density | 3.82 g/cm³ (130.5 km/s vesc) |
| Insolation Flux | 0.0000 S⊕ |
| Habitable Zone Status | Exterior / Non-HZ |
| Celestial Distance | 37.500 LY (11.509 pc) |