KIC 8540376 c
KIC 8540376 c is a mini-Neptune orbiting KOI-7892 in the constellation Lyra. It lies about 3,497 light-years from Earth and was discovered in 2015 using the transit method.
How Big Is KIC 8540376 c?
KIC 8540376 c has a radius of 2.40 times that of Earth.
Is KIC 8540376 c in the Habitable Zone?
The position of KIC 8540376 c relative to the habitable zone of KOI-7892 cannot be precisely determined from the available orbital data.
Habitable zone of KOI-7892: 1.138–2.643 AU (conservative: 1.442–2.506 AU), per Kopparapu et al. (2014). Earth orbits the Sun at 1 AU.
See the full interactive habitable-zone view in the Exoplanet Explorer app ›
Orbit and Year Length
A year on KIC 8540376 c — one full orbit around KOI-7892 — lasts 75.2 Earth days, shorter than Mercury's 88-day year.
How Was KIC 8540376 c Discovered?
KIC 8540376 c was discovered in 2015 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 KIC 8540376 c?
KIC 8540376 c is 3,497.4 light-years (1,072.3 parsecs) from Earth. Light arriving here tonight left the planet about 3,497 years ago. A probe traveling at the speed of Voyager 1 — about 17 km/s, the fastest outbound spacecraft ever launched — would need roughly 61,554,240 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. KIC 8540376 c scores 0.32, ranking #1,051 of 5,568 planets with a known ESI. For reference, Mars scores about 0.70.
The Host Star: KOI-7892
KOI-7892
- Surface temperature
- 6,474 K (Sun: 5,772 K)
- Mass
- 1.04 M☉
- Radius
- 1.26 R☉
The KOI-7892 Planetary System
KIC 8540376 c is one of 3 known planets in the KOI-7892 system. Its siblings:
- KIC 8540376 b (Neptune-like)
- Kepler-457 d (Mini Neptune)
KIC 8540376 c — Complete Data
| Radius | 2.400 Earth radii (0.214 Jupiter radii) |
|---|---|
| Orbital period | 75.20 days |
| Earth Similarity Index | 0.32 |
| Distance from Earth | 3,497.4 light-years (1,072.3 parsecs) |
| Constellation | Lyra |
| Discovery method | Transit |
| Discovery facility | Kepler |
| Discovery year | 2015 |
Data: NASA Exoplanet Archive, last updated 2015-12-24. Earth Similarity Index: PHL @ UPR Arecibo.
Frequently Asked Questions About KIC 8540376 c
Is KIC 8540376 c habitable?
KIC 8540376 c is not known to orbit within the habitable zone of KOI-7892, and as a mini-Neptune it is an unlikely candidate for life as we know it.
How far away is KIC 8540376 c?
KIC 8540376 c is about 3,497 light-years from Earth in the constellation Lyra. A spacecraft traveling as fast as Voyager 1 (about 17 km/s) would need roughly 61,554,240 years to get there.
How big is KIC 8540376 c compared to Earth?
KIC 8540376 c has 2.40 times the radius of Earth.
How long is a year on KIC 8540376 c?
One orbit around KOI-7892 takes 75.2 Earth days.