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A Project By Shobhini Khanna.
Journey Beyond: Exoplanetary Tourism
For Young Adventurers
Have you ever dreamed of travelling to places far beyond our own solar system? Get ready for a journey like no other, as we set out to discover the most exciting worlds in the universe! These are not just any planets, they are exoplanets. They are planets that exist outside of our solar system, orbiting distant stars. Each exoplanet is unique, with incredible features that will leave you amazed. This journey is designed for young adventurers like you who are eager to explore the mysteries of the universe. So, buckle up and prepare to blast off on a voyage that will take you across the stars!
Our mission is to introduce you to the most intriguing exoplanets ever discovered. We will have exciting descriptions, fun facts, and beautiful visuals. If you are looking for a peaceful getaway, a thrilling adventure, or a place to learn more about the universe, we’ve got a planet for you! Ready to start your adventure?
Before we launch into unknown territory, let’s first understand what an exoplanet is. In the simplest terms, an exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star outside of our solar system. Just like Earth orbits the Sun, exoplanets orbit stars that are light-years away from us. Scientists have discovered thousands of exoplanets till now. They come in many shapes and sizes. Some are rocky like Earth, while others are made of gas, like Jupiter. These distant worlds make us understand more about the universe, and who knows—we might even find one that could support life!
Imagine standing on a planet with two suns, or one where it rains glass. These places are real, and we call them exoplanets. Some exoplanets are so strange that they seem like they belong in a science fiction movie. But yes, they actually exist. Scientists around the globe are constantly exploring more about them.
Want to know more? Explore this visual guide to dive deeper into the fascinating world of exoplanets.
Just like we have different types of planets in our solar system, exoplanets can be grouped into different categories based on their characteristics. Here are the main types of exoplanets that astronomers from NASA have discovered:
These are rocky planets, like our own Earth. They may have land, water, and possibly even breathable air. Some scientists think that we might one day find another Earth among the exoplanets!
These planets are bigger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. Some of them might even be rocky like Earth, with mountains, oceans, and possibly even life!
These are similar to Neptune, with swirling clouds and massive storms. They are a little smaller than gas giants but just as mysterious and wild.
These planets are similar to Jupiter and Saturn. They are made mostly of gas and have no solid surface. Imagine floating in thick clouds with winds so strong that they could blow you across the planet in seconds!
Now, you might be wondering, “How do scientists find these planets that are so far away?” The answer is that astronomers use some very clever techniques to spot exoplanets, even when they are thousands of light-years away.
Here are some of the ways scientists discover exoplanets:
Now that you know what exoplanets are and how we find them, let’s start our journey! We’re going to visit 10 of the most incredible exoplanets discovered so far. Each one is unique, with amazing features that you won’t find anywhere else. Our adventure will take us from the closest exoplanet to Earth, to some of the farthest ones we’ve discovered. Ready to explore?.
Discovered in 2018, GJ 15 A c has a radius of 0.595 times that of Jupiter, a mass of 36 Earths, orbits at a distance of 5.4 AU, and has an orbital period of 20.8 years. Okay so the closest to our mother Earth is only 11 light-years away. GJ 15 A c has a stunning red moon. Imagine gazing at the sky watching the red moon rise giving wings to your imagination. It is one of most ethereal sights in the galaxy.
Fun Fact: It’s one of the closest exoplanets to Earth, making it a prime candidate for future exploration.
Discovered in 2015, GJ 1132 b has a radius of 1.192 times that of Earth, a mass of 1.83705 Earths, orbits at a distance of 0.0157 AU, and has an orbital period of 1.6 days. Well the GJ 1132 b is a rocky planet with high mountains and deep valleys. It’s the perfect destination for adventurers who love climbing and hiking. Imagine scaling the steep cliffs of an alien world, where the views are unlike anything on Earth.
Fun Fact:It’s one of the few exoplanets where scientists have detected an atmosphere.
Discovered in 2017, KELT-9b has a radius of 1.891 times that of Jupiter, a mass of 2.88 Jupiters, orbits at a distance of 0.03462 AU with an orbital period of 1.5 days. Moving on, if you love heat, KELT-9b is your perfect destination. It’s hotter than most stars! On this planet, temperatures soar to thousands of degrees, making it one of the hottest planets ever discovered.
Fun Fact: The atmosphere of KELT-9b is so hot that its hydrogen molecules break apart.
Discovered in 2013, GJ 504 b has a radius of 1.16 times that of Jupiter, a mass of 4 Jupiters, orbits at a distance of 43.5 AU, and has an orbital period of 259.9 years. Finally, the GJ 504 b is a beautiful planet with magenta-coloured clouds. The skies look like a scene from a fantasy world. It’s perfect for younger adventurers who want to explore a land filled with vibrant colours and magic.
Fun Fact: The bright pink colour comes from the planet’s unique chemical makeup.
Discovered in 2005, HD 189733 b has a radius of 1.13 times that of Jupiter, a mass of 1.13 Jupiters, orbits at a distance of 0.03126 AU, and has an orbital period of 2.2 days. Not too far from our beautiful planet earth, this heavenly planet is deep blue and looks like a calm, peaceful ocean world. However, don’t be fooled by its appearance—HD 189733 b experiences fierce weather with glass raining sideways at high speeds!
Fun Fact: The blue colour comes from the planet’s atmosphere, which scatters blue light.
Discovered in 2011, Kepler-16b has a radius of 0.754 times that of Jupiter, a mass of 0.333 Jupiters, orbits at a distance of 0.7048 AU with an orbital period of 228.8 days. Orbiting two stars, Kepler-16b experiences eternal sunsets and double shadows. Imagine standing on the surface and seeing two suns in the sky, casting long, twin shadows on the ground. This planet is like nothing you’ve ever seen!
Fun Fact: It’s also known as a circumbinary planet because it orbits two stars.
Discovered in 2014, Kepler-186f has a radius of 1.17 times that of Earth, a mass of 1.71 Earths, orbits at a distance of 0.432 AU with an orbital period of 129.9 days. Lurking around the Water World, Kepler-186f is similar in size to Earth and is located in the habitable zone of its star. This means it could potentially support life! Imagine visiting a planet that feels like Earth but is thousands of light-years away. Could this be humanity’s next home?
Fun Fact: Kepler-186f is sometimes called Earth’s cousin because of its similar conditions
Discovered in 2022, TOI-3757 b has a radius of 1.071 times that of Jupiter, a mass of 0.26838 Jupiters, orbits at a distance of 0.03845 AU, and has an orbital period of 3.4 days. TOI-3757 b is a fluffy, marshmallow-like planet that’s perfect for those looking for a peaceful retreat. It’s soft and soothing atmosphere makes it an ideal getaway for anyone looking for peace and tranquility.
Fun Fact: This planet is known for its low density, making it light and “fluffy” compared to other gas giants.
Discovered in 2011, Kepler-22b has a radius of 2.1 times that of Earth, a mass of 9.1 Earths, orbits at a distance of 0.812 AU with an orbital period of 289.9 days. As we move ahead of Kepler-16b, we need to travel about 400 light years to reach Kepler-22b. It is a planet completely covered in water! There are no mountains or land masses—just a vast, endless ocean. It’s the perfect planet for water lovers and aquatic adventurers. Who knows what might be lurking in its deep waters?
Fun Fact: Kepler-22b is located in its star’s “habitable zone,” meaning it might have the right conditions for life!
Discovered in 2004, 55 Cancri e has a radius of 1.875 times that of Earth, a mass of 7.99 Earths, orbits at a distance of 0.01544 AU with an orbital period of 0.7 days. This planet has oceans of lava and skies full of glittering diamonds and is very close to Earth. The surface is molten, creating a dazzling and fiery aura. If you’re looking for a wild adventure, 55 Cancri e offers one that’s out of this world!
Fun Fact: It’s one of the most well-known lava planets, with extreme temperatures on both day and night sides.
The NASA International Space Apps Challenge is a hackathon for coders, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, technologists, and innovators around the world to come together and use open data from NASA and its Space Agency Partners to create solutions to challenges we face on Earth and in space.