a Historic System with a Surprising Twist

the kepler-10 planetary system, already renowned for it’s groundbreaking discoveries, may hold even more secrets than previously imagined.located approximately 600 light-years away in the constellation draco, this system is home to kepler-10b, the first rocky exoplanet identified by nasa’s kepler space telescope.now, kepler-10c, the system’s second exoplanet, is capturing the attention of astronomers as a perhaps atypical “ocean world.”

the central star of the kepler-10 system is quite old, estimated to be 10 billion years old and similar to our sun (a type g star), but with 30% less iron. while kepler-10b is a super-earth, a hot, lava-covered world with an orbital period of less than a day, its companion, kepler-10c, presents a stark contrast.

godzilla’s Icy Change

kepler-10c was initially nicknamed “godzilla” due to early estimates of its immense mass. while those estimates have been revised, it remains a considerable planet, possessing approximately 11 times the mass of earth and a volume 13 times greater, with a radius 2.3 times larger than earth’s.

recent research suggests a surprising origin and composition for kepler-10c. according to a study published in astronomy & astrophysics, this exoplanet may have formed far from its star, beyond the “ice line.” this distance would have allowed it to accumulate a significant amount of ice, leading to its classification as a frozen aquatic world.

this exoplanet would have formed far from its star…and its composition would not be that of a rocky superterre, but rather of an entirely frozen aquatic world.

astronomy & astrophysics

scientists hypothesize that kepler-10c lost its atmosphere early in its history, and that water could constitute 40% to 70% of its mass, potentially existing in a “differentiated interior.”

a Migrating Ice Giant

the study proposes that kepler-10c later migrated towards its star. currently, it orbits its star every 45 days, with a theoretical equilibrium temperature of around 310 degrees celsius. though, astronomers have detected signs that kepler-10c is dynamically disturbed, suggesting the presence of a fourth body within the system.

a Solar System Ripe for exploration

the kepler-10 system,with its lava planet (kepler-10b) and ice planet (kepler-10c),may also harbor a third planet,kepler-10d. researchers suspect its existence based on variations in the transit of kepler-10c. while its mass and radius remain unknown, it might very well be another frozen world, potentially similar to neptune or uranus, orbiting its star in approximately 110 to 150 days.

this diverse planetary system presents a engaging target for future astronomical investigations. this is the kind of very real planetary system that could receive the visit of characters from a series like star trek or star wars…

faq: kepler-10c

• what is kepler-10c?

  kepler-10c is an exoplanet in the kepler-10 system, potentially an atypical ocean world with a frozen surface.

• where is the kepler-10 system located?

  the kepler-10 system is about 600 light-years away in the constellation draco.

• what is the proposed composition of kepler-10c?

  scientists believe kepler-10c is primarily composed of ice, with water potentially making up 40% to 70% of its mass.

• why is kepler-10c considered atypical?

  its large mass and volume, combined with its icy composition and potential lack of atmosphere, make it an unusual ocean world.

• is there another planet in the system?

  astronomers suspect the existence of kepler-10d, a potential frozen world orbiting further out.