Welcome, fellow space explorers and astronomy fans! Today we’re going to look at an amazing number of discoveries called exoplanets—planets that orbit other stars besides our Sun. Special tools and methods can detect these planets, which are not visible to the naked eye. Let’s see what kind of number we’ll find when we count them!

As of early 2024, over 5,500 exoplanets have been confirmed; however, scientists believe there may be thousands more waiting to be confirmed. The number has come a long way since the first exoplanet was confirmed in the 1990s, and it shows how quickly we are learning about the universe.

Another cool thing is that each exoplanet discovered is unique. There aren’t just large gas giants like Jupiter but also tiny exoplanets (smaller than Earth), “super-Earth”-sized exoplanets that could possibly support life, and even exoplanets that orbit two stars, almost like something from a science fiction movie.

Each of the different types of exoplanets was detected in various ways. Most often, they are detected using either the transit method, where we see the faint dimming of light as a planet passes in front of its star, or the radial velocity method, where we measure the slight wobble of a star due to the gravitational pull of the planet.

The ability to discover new exoplanets has greatly increased thanks to the use of space-based telescopes such as Kepler, TESS, and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope. New exoplanets continue to be added every few months as we continue to expand our view of the galaxy and its many diverse worlds. While most of the exoplanets are hundreds or thousands of light-years away from us, the ultimate goal is to find a planet that is similar enough to Earth to potentially support life, or at least a planet where life could possibly exist.

For those interested in exploring further, NASA provides a wealth of information through their Exoplanet Archive. The archive includes extensive details regarding the discovery of each of the confirmed exoplanets, including the type of telescope used, artist renderings of what the exoplanet may look like, and much more. Another fun option is the app “Exoplanet Travel Bureau,” which allows you to imagine traveling to these distant worlds without needing a passport!

Whether you are an astronomy enthusiast or simply someone who loves learning about space, the search for other worlds continues to be one of the most intriguing areas of scientific research today. Who knows, maybe the next great breakthrough in exoplanet research will be coming soon.

Thank you for joining me on this cosmic adventure! Next time, I will share with you more about the wonderful tools and methods that astronomers use to study exoplanets and even more about the search for life beyond our world. Keep reaching for the stars and thinking big—the universe is much larger and full of mystery than we could have ever imagined!