Exoplanets
Latest about Exoplanets
![A red-toned illustration shows a glowing yellow star in the bottom left corner and the aftermath of a planetary collision toward the right, with what appear as clouds of "smoke."](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4nrQDjqutVFZ7QFiVGm7YW-320-80.jpg)
1st evidence of giant exoplanet collision afterglow explains unusual eclipse
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
Astronomers have observed two super-Earths colliding in a faraway system for the first time, suggesting such violent impacts are not limited to very young cosmic neighborhoods.
![Artists illustration of the TRAPPIST-1 system, showcasing all seven planets in various phases. When a planet transits across the disk of the red dwarf host star, as two of the planets here are shown to do, it creates a dip in the star’s light that can be detected from Earth.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tufFEJd8ZDpqBteqtFWNKE-320-80.jpg)
TRAPPIST-1: A guide to the system with 7 Earth-size exoplanets
By Keith Cooper last updated
Reference The exoplanets of TRAPPIST-1 are rocky worlds that orbit close to their red dwarf star, and at least three are in the habitable zone. Could they support life?
![A blazing red star is seen with just part of a planet in the foreground.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KyUwXHxyDxH7eFEqY7zja4-320-80.jpg)
This TRAPPIST-1 exoplanet seems to have no atmosphere — the truth may hide in its star, James Webb Space Telescope reveals
By Keith Cooper published
The findings also corroborate earlier reports that TRAPPIST-1b lacks a thick, hydrogen atmosphere.
![An artist's illustration of the gas giant discovered in star system HIP 81208. It looks like a cream-colored orb in the foreground. A bright star is seen glowing in the background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tLP7MHKKD7aXqwMqqY4iaC-320-80.jpg)
Very Large Telescope surprisingly finds exoplanet lurking in 3-body star system
By Tereza Pultarova published
The European Very Large Telescope in Chile has photographed a planet orbiting a star in a multi-star system that sits some 480 light-years from Earth.
![An artist's interpretation of what Planet Nine might look like.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ewHXX9BMeGHnMukE2jewPV-320-80.jpg)
A 'Planet Nine' far from Earth could explain the odd behavior of icy bodies beyond Neptune
By Paul Sutter published
As the search for "Planet Nine" in the outer solar system continues, new research suggests there may be an Earth twin buried deep within the frozen waste of the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune.
![Illustration of a planet and its cool red dwarf star. In the foreground on the right is the planet, which fills most of the frame. The planet is various shades of blue, with wisps of white scattered throughout. The left edge of the planet (the side facing the star) is lit, while the rest is in shadow. In the background at the lower left is the star, which appears smaller. The star has a bright red glow. Also in the background is another planet, which appears as a small crescent. The black background of space is speckled with a few small stars.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7q6LWeV3RJiJcL4vGvP8a6-320-80.jpg)
Exoplanet's surface may be covered in oceans, James Webb Space Telescope finds
By Robert Lea published
The so-called Hycean planet K2–18 b is around twice the size of Earth and orbits in the habitable zone of a star located 120 light-years from our solar system.
![An illustration shows the Habitable Worlds Telescope in orbit around Earth with its starshade unfolded](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uuM4dtfu8Npho38YrtFioV-320-80.png)
How NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory will search exoplanets for signs of alien life
By Robert Lea published
Planning is well underway for NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory, a telescope project that will hunt for telltale signs of life in the atmospheres of planets outside the solar system.
![a red-hued planet is shaded into a crescent against a purple and black backdrop of space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/utSfCPeSxaNvZXQXZbHRcU-320-80.jpg)
Could an 'Earth-like' planet be hiding in our solar system's outer reaches?
By Sharmila Kuthunur published
A hypothetical Kuiper Belt Planet adds to the list of possibly undiscovered worlds in our solar system. Also on that list? Planet Nine.
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