Exoplanets

An exoplanet is a planet outside our solar system. It goes around a different star, not our Sun. Scientists have found thousands of exoplanets. Some are big like Jupiter, and some are small like Earth. A few might even have water.

Finding Exoplanets

Exoplanets are very far away and hard to see. Scientists use special telescopes to find them. One way is to watch a star dim a little when a planet passes in front. Another way is to see a star wobble from a planet's pull.

A size comparison of planets found around a faraway star, next to our Moon.
A size comparison of planets found around a faraway star, next to our Moon. (NASA/Ames/JPL-Caltech / Wikimedia Commons)

Are Any Like Earth?

Some exoplanets are called Earth-like. They are about the same size as Earth and not too hot or cold. Scientists wonder if any of them could have life. So far, we do not know for sure.

Fun Facts

  • The first exoplanet around a sun-like star was found in 1995.
  • Some exoplanets have two suns, like in the movie Star Wars.
  • One exoplanet rains bits of melted glass.

Did You Know?

The James Webb Space Telescope can study the air of exoplanets from far away!