Exoplanets

Latest about Exoplanets

graphic illustration of an exoplanet, shows a rocky world with another could of distant worlds in the sky.

The 10 most Earth-like exoplanets

By Elizabeth Howell, Ailsa Harvey last updated

Reference Scientists have found more than 5,000 exoplanets since the first such world was confirmed orbiting a sunlike star in 1995. We explore the ones most similar to Earth.

Reference
A large glowing orange sphere with green loops emerging from its poles. It is surrounded by smaller blue, grey and brown spheres

How stars' magnetic fields could impact the chance for life on orbiting planets

By Robert Lea published

Habitability depends on more than just a planet's distance from its host star. New research looks at the impact stellar magnetism has on exoplanets.

Exoplanets
a blue and white sphere to the left of a glowing yellow sphere

James Webb Space Telescope directly images its coldest exoplanet target yet

By Robert Lea published

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers have investigated a super-Jupiter that is one of the coldest exoplanets ever directly imaged.

Exoplanets
A striped orange sphere against a black backgound with yellow and blue dots there is a glowing yellow orb to the right of the sphere

Exoplanet with weird orbit is transforming into a hot Jupiter before our eyes

By Robert Lea last updated

Astronomers may have solved the mystery of how hot Jupiter exoplanets are born, finding a gas giant with a weird orbit in the process of transforming into just such a world.

Exoplanets
A ton of exoplanets, many of them resembling Earth, are illustrated in front of a black screen. On the top right, there's a Space.com anniversary badge.

25 years of exoplanet hunting hasn't revealed Earth 2.0 — but is that what we're looking for?

By Monisha Ravisetti published

It's been a long ride for exoplanet science — and for Space.com itself.

Exoplanets
Several planets are seen in this illustration. The one closest to the viewer is large, and they gradually get smaller as you get farther into the image.

'What exactly is a planet?' Astronomers want to amend the definition

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

A newly proposed mass-based definition of a planet reaffirms Pluto as a dwarf planet.

Exoplanets
A large red orb surrounded by a blue halo to the left a yellow and orange sphere surrounded by a yellow halo. The background is a muddy brown color

Evidence of water found in atmosphere of mysterious 'metal god of war' exoplanet

By Robert Lea published

The composition and great density of 'hot Saturn' exoplanet Smertrios are a challenge to planet formation models that the detection of water may help solve.

Exoplanets
Three planetary orbs float in a row, slightly reflected in a dark surface just beneath them. The left and middle are the same size, both white with hints of blue, and the middle has a large blue and white swath just off center, mimicking an eyeball. The third orb is earth, and smaller.

James Webb Space Telescope suggests this exoplanet is our 'best bet' at finding an alien ocean

By Monisha Ravisetti published

James Webb Space Telescope data suggests the exoplanet LHS 1140 b is a water world in its star's habitable zone that sports a lovely, temperate ocean.

Exoplanets
A firey orange sphere to the left of a partly shadowed blue and white sphere against a very dark background

Extreme 'hot Jupiter' exoplanet stinks like rotten eggs and has raging glass storms

By Robert Lea published

As if deadly rains of glass, temperatures hot enough to melt lead, and sidewise 5,000 mph winds weren't unfriendly enough, the JWST has found a Jupiter-sized exoplanet also stinks of rotten eggs.

Exoplanets
An artist's illustration shows a bright blue planet in the foreground with a yellow, glowing star in the background.

Why puffy exoplanets often dance with perfect rhythm

By Robert Lea published

New research has identified two distinct populations of puffy, sub-Neptune exoplanets with low densities, allowing them to stay in step with their planetary siblings.

Exoplanets
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