Exoplanets
Latest about Exoplanets
Massive 'forbidden planet' orbits a strangely tiny star only 4 times its size
By Robert Lea published
A newly discovered "forbidden" Jupiter-sized planet orbiting a tiny star only four times its size could challenge theories of how gas giants are born.
Elusive Planet Nine could be surrounded by hot moons, and that's how we'd find it
By Harry Baker published
The mysterious Planet Nine may have up to 20 moons that could be superheated by the hypothetical planet's gravitational pull, making them easy to spot.
Very Large Telescope photographs its lightest ever exoplanet
By Tereza Pultarova published
The Very Large Telescope in Chile took images of its lightest exoplanet yet after data from two European sky-mapping missions indicated something was tugging at the orbit of a distant young star.
Why are there so few 'hot Neptune' exoplanets?
By Elizabeth Rayne published
There's apparently a dearth of close-orbiting Neptune-size planets in our galaxy, and two observation techniques are starting to explain why.
Goldilocks zone: Everything you need to know about the habitable sweet spot
By Vicky Stein published
Reference The Goldilocks zone or habitable zone is the region around a star where an orbiting planet could host liquid water and, therefore, possibly support life.
Earth-size exoplanet spotted just 72 light-years away
By Stefanie Waldek published
The newfound exoplanet K2-415b is not within the habitable zone of its red dwarf host star, but it could have a neighbor that is.
Puffy helium planets could explain exoplanet size mystery
By Keith Cooper published
Gaseous planets close to their star could see their hydrogen atmospheres evaporate, leaving behind helium that could be detected by the James Webb Space Telescope.
Astronomers discover potential habitable exoplanet only 31 light-years from Earth
By Laurence Tognetti published
Wolf 1069 b offers a unique opportunity to study a potentially habitable and tidally locked exoplanet.
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