Exoplanet

While two thirds of exoplanets may be a fiery, boiling wasteland, scientists believe the other third occupy a "just right" goldilocks orbit around their star, and this, much like Earth's orbit, could provide the right environmental support for life.

A new, Earth-sized planet has been discovered only 90 light-years away. In astronomical terms, that’s right next door. Moreover, it may be capable of supporting life thanks to volcanic eruptions caused by the gravitational tug of a nearby planet.

Astronomers have witnessed an apocalypse from across the galaxy, as a planet crashed into its star. It’s an event long assumed to happen in many star systems – including our own someday – but this is the first time it’s ever been seen directly.

The James Webb Space Telescope has detected water vapor near a planet in another system. Although there's a big if hanging over the find, it could mark the first direct detection of a rocky exoplanet’s atmosphere.

A new study led on how water could form on young exoplanets with hydrogen atmospheres and molten oceans of magma suggests that Earth-like planets may not be as rare as once thought and that the presence of water on such planets may be almost inevitable.

Researchers have used the James Webb Space Telescope to measure the temperature of the innermost planet in the TRAPPIST-1 system, shedding more light on the ability of planets like these to support life.

Is the evolution of our nearest planetary neighbor into a nightmarish hellscape typical? If it is, should Earthlings be worried? To find out, astronomers have proposed using the James Webb Space Telescope to look at five exoplanets in the Venus Zone.

Millions of planets have sides permanently bathed in the light of their star, and sides always cloaked in darkness. Between these two sides lies the "terminator zone," a logical place to search for extraterrestrial life, says a new study.

Astronomers have classified planetary systems into four distinct categories, based on the sizes and arrangements of their planets. As it turns out, the architecture of our own solar system is the rarest kind.

Of the over 5,000 exoplanets discovered, only about 12 even come close to resembling Earth. That number has been increased with the discovery of Wolf 1069 b, a planet with qualities that make it a good candidate to study further for signs of life.

The James Webb Space Telescope has been used to confirm the existence of an exoplanet for the first time. Known as LHS 475 b, this Earth-sized world is a cosmic stone’s-throw away and is likely the first of many planet discoveries by Webb.

Get Kevin Costner on the phone – astronomers may have found some water worlds. Two nearby planets have been found to be covered in deep global oceans under hot, steamy atmospheres.