Kepler-279 c
Kepler-279 c is a Neptune-like planet orbiting Kepler-279 in the constellation Lyra. It lies about 3,384 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2013 using the transit method.
How Big Is Kepler-279 c?
Kepler-279 c has a radius of 4.30 times that of Earth. Its mass is 49.4 times that of Earth.
Is Kepler-279 c in the Habitable Zone?
The position of Kepler-279 c relative to the habitable zone of Kepler-279 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Orbit and Year Length
A year on Kepler-279 c — one full orbit around Kepler-279 — lasts 35.7 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year.
How Was Kepler-279 c Discovered?
Kepler-279 c was discovered in 2013 using the transit method, with observations from Kepler.
The transit method watches a star for the tiny, regular dip in brightness that occurs when a planet crosses in front of it. The depth and timing of these dips reveal the planet's size and orbital period.
How Far Away Is Kepler-279 c?
Kepler-279 c is 3,383.5 light-years (1,037.4 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 3,384 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 59,549,600 years to make the journey.
Earth Similarity Index
The Earth Similarity Index (ESI) scores how physically similar a planet is to Earth, from 0 to 1, based on radius, density, escape velocity and surface temperature. Kepler-279 c scores 0.18, ranking #4,012 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: Kepler-279
Kepler-279
- Mass
- 1.10 M☉
- Radius
- 1.07 R☉
The Kepler-279 Planetary System
Kepler-279 c is one of 4 known planets in the Kepler-279 system. Its siblings:
- Kepler-279 b (Sub Neptune)
- Kepler-279 d (Super Earth)
- Kepler-279 e (Cold Gas Giant)
Kepler-279 c — Complete Data
| Radius | 4.300 Earth radii (0.384 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Mass | 49.40 Earth masses (0.155 Jupiter masses) |
| Orbital period | 35.74 days |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.18 |
| Distance from Earth | 3,383.5 light-years (1,037.4 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Lyra |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | Kepler |
| Discovery year | 2013 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2014-05-14. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kepler-279 c
Is Kepler-279 c habitable?
Kepler-279 c is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of Kepler-279, and as a Neptune-like planet it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is Kepler-279 c?
Kepler-279 c is about 3,384 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 59,549,600 years to get there.
How big is Kepler-279 c compared to Earth?
Kepler-279 c has 4.30 times the radius of Earth and about 49.4 times its mass.
How long is a year on Kepler-279 c?
One orbit around Kepler-279 takes 35.7 Earth days — short enough that 10 of its years would fit into one Earth year.
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