Exoplanets, or extrasolar planets, are planets that exist outside our solar system, orbiting stars other than the Sun. The term encompasses a diverse range of planetary types, including gas giants, ice giants, super-Earths, and terrestrial planets. Exoplanets vary significantly in size, composition, and distance from their host stars, leading to unique atmospheric and environmental conditions.
The study of exoplanets is a crucial field of astronomy because it expands our understanding of planetary formation, evolution, and the potential for life beyond Earth. They are detected through various methods, such as the transit method, which identifies a dip in a star’s brightness as a planet passes in front, and the radial velocity method, which measures changes in a star’s motion due to gravitational interactions with orbiting planets.
Since the first confirmed discovery of an exoplanet in 1992, thousands have been identified, with ongoing missions and telescopes aiming to find more, especially ones located in the habitable zones of their stars where conditions might allow for liquid water. The study of exoplanets also poses significant questions about the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the diversity of planetary systems throughout the universe.
Martin Vargic, a brilliant artist and space enthusiast from Slovakia, invites us on an awe-inspiring journey through the cosmos with his latest creations. In a series of stunning infographic posters,…
New research conducted by an international team of scientists from NCCR PlanetS, UNIGE, and UNIBE has revealed the existence of two distinct populations of sub-Neptunes, settling a long-standing debate in…
In a groundbreaking discovery, a research team led by Shishir Dholakia, a PhD student at the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Centre for Astrophysics, has identified Gliese 12 b, a…
A team of international researchers, led by Dr. Shweta Dalal from the University of Exeter, has made a groundbreaking discovery by finding three potential "super-Earth" exoplanets orbiting a nearby orange…
Astronomers recently made an astounding discovery - a planet that defies all expectations. Meet WASP-193b, a colossal exoplanet that rivals Jupiter in size but possesses a surprising characteristic: it is…
A recent discovery by a team of astronomers and citizen scientists has unveiled a Tatooine-style planet that resembles Luke Skywalker’s home world in the Star Wars franchise. Known officially as…
A remarkable exoplanet has been identified by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and named TOI-6713.01. This distant rocky planet, residing in the HD 104067 star system, captures attention with…
In the fascinating world of science fiction, the hit Netflix series 3 Body Problem explores the concept of solving a problem on a planet with three suns through a virtual…
A groundbreaking discovery has sent shockwaves through the scientific community as astronomers uncover evidence of a potential water world in their ongoing quest for habitable exoplanets. This stunning revelation promises…
The realm beyond our solar system has always fascinated humanity, with its vast expanse and unknown wonders. Scientists and space explorers have dedicated countless hours to understanding the local interstellar…