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Exoplanets
  • 3,371
    Confirmed
  • 2,416
    Candidates
  • 2,508
    Solar Systems
  • 232
    Terrestrial
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News and Features

Astronomers have pinpointed which planets discovered by the NASA Kepler mission may sustain liquid water on their surfaces.
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An illustration of Kepler-186f.
Astronomers help focus research in the search for another Earth
To find Earth-like planets, NASA will face a challenge that seems impossible: build a space telescope so stable, it moves less than the width of an atom.
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At a Goddard cleanroom, technicians unveil the James Webb Observatory’s segmented mirror.
The next generation of telescopes are almost impossibly accurate
A young star's stellar outburst brings its water snow line into view. The bizarre idea of snow orbiting in space is fundamental to planet formation.
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A bright star is surrounded by an inner circle of dust and a glowing snowy outer circle.
Snow line discovered in bright baby solar system
Astronomers from UC Santa Cruz have found the first strong evidence of water vapor or ice in the the coldest known object outside our solar system– a brown dwarf five times the size of Jupiter.
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An artist's concept shows the coldest object outside our solar system as blue in color, with the band of the Milky Way in the background.
Astronomers find water clouds in cold Jupiter-like object
How do some gas giant planets end up so feverishly close to their stars? NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope finds new clues.
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How do some gas giant planets end up so feverishly close to their stars? NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope finds new clues.
In space 'Jupiter' planets burn hot, not cold
A giant 'Tatooine' discovered by NASA's Kepler mission is the largest world yet discovered that circles two stars.
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Kepler illustration
New planet is largest discovered that orbits two suns
The organic molecule methyl alcohol (methanol) has been found for the first time in a young planet-forming disc.
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This artist’s impression shows a protoplanetary disc, with an inset of the organic molecule methanol.
First detection of methyl alcohol in a planet-forming disc
A team of astronomers has found that there are far more planets of the hot Jupiter type than expected in a dense cluster of stars called Messier 67.
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A hot Jupiter orbits close to its star
Unexpected excess of giant planets in star cluster
Venus has an “electric wind” that may have played a significant role in stripping Earth’s twin planet of its oceans.
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An artist's concept of the electric wind at Venus. Rays represent the paths that oxygen and hydrogen ions take as they are pulled out of the upper atmosphere.
‘Electric wind’ can strip potential Earths of oceans, atmospheres
New research suggests that aging stars can warm previously frozen Hoth-like planets into supporting life.
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An artist's concept of a burning exoplanet. New research suggests that aging stars can warm previously frozen Hoth-like planets into supporting life.
Giant red stars may heat frozen worlds into habitable planets

The Search for Life

Finding potential life-bearing worlds among the stars is NASA's next big challenge.

Exoplanets 101

Habitable Zones

Life Signs

Inventing the Future

The Search for Life

Finding potential life-bearing worlds among the stars is NASA's next big challenge.

Exoplanets 101

What is an exoplanet? Where are they located and how do we find them?
Learn more about Exoplanets 101 ›

Habitable Zones

Where's the best place to look for life-bearing planets among the stars?
Learn more about Habitable Zones ›

Life Signs

Find evidence of life on distant planets will require advanced technology and a little luck.
Learn more about Life Signs ›

Inventing the Future

Learn about the futuristic technology NASA is developing to explore alien worlds.
Learn more about Inventing the Future ›
Exoplanet Exploration Program

Exoplanet Exploration Program

NASA's science, technology and mission management office for the exploration of exoplanets. The program's primary goals, as described in the 2014 NASA Science Plan, are to discover planets around other stars, to characterize their properties and to identify planets that could harbor life.

Explore Alien Worlds

Exoplanet Travel Bureau

This set of travel posters envision a day when the creativity of scientists and engineers will allow us to do things we can only dream of now.
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Strange New Worlds

Explore an interactive gallery of some of the most intriguing and exotic planets discovered so far.
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A planetary tour through time. The ancients debated the existence of planets beyond our own; now we know of thousands.

Historic Timeline

A planetary tour through time. The ancients debated the existence of planets beyond our own; now we know of thousands.
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