Exoplanets
Latest about Exoplanets
![A glowing orange and brown sphere next to a brighter orange sphere.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XVrHSqv8rT7X4yLPvnx8UY-320-80.png)
Gaia space telescope helps astronomers image hidden objects around bright stars
By Robert Lea published
The Gaia space telescope has spotted the dim companions of eight bright stars, suggesting we can expect new glimpses of distant planets.
![a giant crescent moon hangs like a dim red bowl in a darkening re-clouded sky. A dark hilly landscape stretches beneath.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sYQbNJBVHyfYQVZnjZmh3E-320-80.jpg)
Why smaller planets are better at building large moons
By Keith Cooper published
The energy of moon-forming can have a big say in whether large or doomed smaller moons are built.
![a giant blazing star hangs in the black of space, burning vibrant yellow and dark orange. A small planet sits to the right, just below the star's equator.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/66Vv8MayNmH3biKUctKaJL-320-80.jpg)
Could nearby stars have habitable exoplanets? NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory hopes to find out
By Stefanie Waldek published
Astronomers are using the Chandra X-ray Observatory to study stars' radiation and establish the feasibility of exoplanet habitability.
![a blue haze partially covers the view of a large burning yellow and orange star. A smaller orb, a planet, passes in front of the star within the haze.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6NE2SVNJ3DJv5Ms3L5XpG5-320-80.jpg)
Scientists find a surprise ingredient in exoplanet cake mix — sulfur dioxide
By Keith Cooper published
The presence of sulfur dioxide around a hot Neptune exoplanet with an evaporating atmosphere could help us understand how it formed.
![illustration of a space telescope orbiting earth, with the sun in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uuM4dtfu8Npho38YrtFioV-320-80.png)
NASA funds tech development for life-hunting Habitable Worlds Observatory
By Conor Feehly published
NASA recently selected three proposals that will help develop the tech needed by its proposed life-hunting Habitable Worlds Observatory space telescope.
![A red world on the left ans a churning star on the right.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vEtsunpc3J3VrXMPPHx7LL-320-80.png)
NASA exoplanet hunter finds 'weird' world surviving a star's relentless bombardment — it's named Phoenix
By Robert Lea published
NASA's TESS exoplanet hunter has discovered a weird world called Phoenix that has managed to hold on to its atmosphere despite being relentlessly bombarded with radiation from its red giant star.
![A bright yellow orb is followed by a purplish hazy tail.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mzmdZG2LtqyphWcRTzEgad-320-80.jpg)
This planet-forming disk shaped like a comet is struggling to survive
By Keith Cooper published
Proplyds, which are ionized protoplanetary disks, struggle to survive in the Orion Nebula as they come under an onslaught of radiation from a nearby massive star.
![Two disks with bright centers are perpendicular to one another in the center of the image. A rogue planet appears to be zooming away from that scene, leaving behind a hazy trail.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xT37Xx4fWHsKAZ8jV8PA7H-320-80.png)
Rogue planets may originate from 'twisted Tatooine' double star systems
By Robert Lea published
"Twisted Tatooine" binary star systems could be a major player in ejecting rogue planets that go on to drift through the Milky Way without a stellar parent to heat or illuminate them.
Get the Space.com Newsletter
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!