Learn how exoplanets are discovered, what makes planets beyond our solar system unique, and how they drive the ongoing search ...

When evaluating possible planets out of the thousands out there, explained Prof. Bean, scientists look for liquid water as a main guiding principle. “All life on Earth needs liquid water, no matter ...

A new study suggests mysterious water worlds may be manufacturing their own oceans through chemical reactions deep within ...

Discovered by NASA’s Kepler spacecraft, Kepler-10c is a massive exoplanet that challenges existing theories about planetary formation and habitability. Dubbed a “mega-Earth,” this planet’s ...

When scientists discovered the first planet orbiting another star in 1995, few outside astronomy circles noticed. That planet, 51 Pegasi b, opened the door to a field that now boasts more than 5,000 ...

Astronomers now understand that water-rich planets can form internally, even close to stars. A new study reveals that ...

It's hard to remember now, but there was a long period of time in which scientists weren't sure how many planets might actually exist throughout the galaxy, much less how likely it might be to find a ...

What role can the relationship between oxygen (O 2) and ozone (O 3) in exoplanet atmospheres have on detecting biosignatures? This is what a study submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics hopes to ...

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There’s a rule of thumb that can come in handy when you hear about new planet discoveries from the Kepler space mission. If they’re talking about a handful of new worlds orbiting distant stars, it’s ...