Exoplanets
Latest about Exoplanets
![A large glowing orange sphere with green loops emerging from its poles. It is surrounded by smaller blue, grey and brown spheres](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kyL4sQGFiw2CnbL8rBq6jb-320-80.png)
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.
![a blue and white sphere to the left of a glowing yellow sphere](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hxMHgMdtFuA6LpHVuBbYBA-320-80.png)
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.
![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](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BqckWomBExLWiq7f4TBmcc-320-80.png)
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.
![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.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FkBWj6XDUSS3mAy6kcrBrZ-320-80.jpg)
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.
![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.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WEzFQXddxB27YL6HEW3BuA-320-80.jpg)
'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.
![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](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2r8sxnu3yLHYQsb8ejn9GF-320-80.png)
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.
![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.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CUnXhFB9b4RewUjnneyKoh-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A firey orange sphere to the left of a partly shadowed blue and white sphere against a very dark background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UxA6vmCVNcbcoR4igfJiFY-320-80.png)
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.
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