Byjus Logo

Exoplanets – A World beyond our Solar System

Team StoryWeavers|November 19, 2020, 13:11 IST| 11

Ever thought about the existence of planets outside our Solar System? Are there any other planets  or only the handful that we know about?

So, in 1995 the scientists discovered that other stars also had planets, just like ours. These are planets beyond our own solar system and were termed as ‘Exoplanets’. Also known as “Extrasolar Planets”, thousands of such planets have been discovered in the past two decades with the help of NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope.

The Kepler Space Telescope, is an observatory that began work in 2009 and is expected to finish its mission in 2018, once it runs out of fuel. As of mid-March 2018, Kepler discovered 2,342 confirmed exoplanets and revealed the existence of perhaps 2,245 others. The total number of planets discovered by all observatories is 3,706.

The youngest exoplanet – K2 33b, is less than 1 million years old. Astronomers inferred the planet’s presence from an enormous hole in the dusty disk that girdles the star. The hole is 10 times the size of Earth’s orbit around the Sun and probably caused by the planet clearing a space in the dust as it orbits the star.Some of these are gigantic planets hugging close to their parent stars and others are icy, some rocky.          

Kepler was launched in 2009 by NASA to look for exoplanets. Kepler looked for planets in a wide range of sizes and orbits. And these planets orbited around stars that varied in size and temperature.

Some of the planets discovered by Kepler are rocky planets that are at a very special distance from their star. This sweet spot is called the habitable zone, where life might be possible.

Kepler has revealed different types of planets. Besides gas giants and terrestrial planets, it has helped define a whole new class known as “Super-Earths” : planets that are between the size of Earth and Neptune. The nearest exoplanet is Proxima Centauri b,which is located 4.2 light-years (1.3 parsecs) from Earth (the closest star to the Sun).

Here is a list of few other exoplanets :

  • 51 Pegasi b: this was the first planet to be confirmed around a sun-like star. Half the mass of Jupiter, it orbits around its sun. 51 Pegasi b is so close to its parent star that it is tidally locked which means one side always faces the star.
  • HD 209458 b: This was the first planet found (in 1999) to transit its star (although it was discovered by the Doppler wobble technique) It was the first planet outside the solar system for which we could determine aspects of its atmosphere, including temperature profile and the lack of clouds.
  • 5 Cancri e: This Super-Earth orbits a star that is bright enough to see by eye, Its one year equals 17 hours and 41 minutes long (recognized in 2011). Theorists speculate that the planet may be carbon-rich, with a diamond core.
  • HD 80606 b: At the time of its discovery in 2001, it held the record as the most eccentric exoplanet ever discovered. It is possible that its odd orbit (which is similar to Halley’s Comet around the sun) may be due to the influence of another star. Its extreme orbit would make the planet’s environment extremely variable.
  • WASP-33b: This planet was discovered in 2011 and has a sort of “sunscreen” layer — a stratosphere — that absorbs some of the visible and ultraviolet light from its parent star. Not only does this planet orbit its star, backwards  but it also triggers vibrations in the star.
Did You Know?

According to the scientists most exoplanets, which are located far beyond our solar system, are composed of elements similar to those found on Earth. But astronomers say there may be planets made largely out of diamonds or graphite, and they could be more common than previously thought.

We hope that you enjoyed reading about Exoplanets. Comment below and let us know what are the topics that you would like us to explore and write on. Thank you.

 

About the Author


For Kritika happiness is chocolates, loads of Netflix, journal scribblings and of course music. A child at heart she is currently grappling with adulting. On any given day you'll find her on the lookout to learn new things and the perfect cup of coffee. Drop in a line at storyweavers@byjus.com if you liked her stories or have exciting ideas to share!

Leave a Comment


*

Comments



Swathi sahani

July 5, 2020

Amazing?


Parmeshwar Shinde

November 1, 2019

Thanks Kritika, I love to read about other exoplanets


Harika

June 1, 2019

Interesting ?


SHAJEEHA mallick

October 26, 2018

I like the Byju apps


SHAJEEHA mallick

October 26, 2018

I love to read books and I like the Byju app


hima vaishnavi

October 7, 2018

Intresting… I wish I could see the picture of it


Thakare york jeetendra

September 30, 2018

Really wow!!


Salai kalaivani

September 27, 2018

Superb?…I would like to know about satellites???


Prathiksha

September 26, 2018

Nice


Kaushalraj

September 26, 2018

A really informative article. I would really like to know about radioactivity


Guddu

September 25, 2018

Nice one ☝️


Testimonials

Join 100+MN Registered BYJU'S Users

Book Your Free Class Now

Thank you!

Your details have been submitted
successfully.