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Exoplanets

✨ The distant worlds

Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside our Solar System. The first confirmed discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a Sun-like star was made in 1995, and since then thousands of these distant worlds have been identified.

Exoplanets come in many different types, including rocky planets similar in size to Earth, giant gas planets larger than Jupiter, and worlds with very different compositions from those found in our Solar System. They can orbit their stars at a wide range of distances, from extremely close to very far away.

Scientists discover exoplanets mainly by observing their effects on the stars they orbit. One common method, called the transit method, detects small decreases in a star’s brightness when a planet passes in front of it. Another method measures the slight movement of a star caused by the planet’s gravity.

Researchers study exoplanet atmospheres to search for information about their composition and possible conditions for life. Although no life has been confirmed beyond Earth, the study of exoplanets helps scientists better understand how planetary systems form and how unique our own Solar System may be.

💡 Did you know?

Do you know what the 'transit method' is? Imagine an ant passing in front of a flashlight: the light dims just a little bit. Astronomers do the same! They watch stars, and if the light dims regularly, it means an exoplanet is passing in front. That's how we discover most of them.

Incredible worlds exist! For example, an exoplanet called '55 Cancri e' is twice as large as Earth and is so rich in carbon that a large part of its interior could be made of pure diamond! It would be a precious planet, wouldn't it?

Did you know? For a planet to host life, it must be in its star's 'habitable zone.' It's the place where it's neither too hot nor too cold, which allows water to remain liquid. It's also called the 'Goldilocks zone,' like in the story where the porridge should be neither too hot nor too cold!