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What Are Some Extrasolar Planets?

A planet outside the solar system is called an extrasolar planet or exoplanet. In our galaxy, more than 50 billion planets or extrasolar planets exist. The first confirmed detection of an extrasolar planet was in 1992. Direct evidence of extrasolar planets is difficult to obtain because the planets are millions of times farther away than our sun.

Gliese
- Gliese is a red dwarf star. Six extrasolar planets have been found orbiting this star. In 2005, Gliese 581b was found and it is a Neptune-sized planet. It orbits Gliese 581 in only 5.4 days. The next planet that was found orbiting this star was Gliese 581c and this planet is believed to have an Earth-like composition. The planet orbits in just 13 days and some astronomers believe that it is similar to Ganymede, one of Jupiter's satellites. Ganymede consists of silica rock and ice. Gliese 581g lies within the habitable zone and one side of the planet faces the star.
Methuselah
- The extrasolar planet PSR B1620-26b, is nicknamed Methuselah. This extrasolar planet is the oldest planet found. Our universe is approximately 13.7 billion years old and this extrasolar planet is approximately 13 billion years old. If a planet could be formed so quickly after the Big Bang, many other planets might exist in our universe. The planet is about 2-1/2 times the size of Jupiter and it is an orbiting pulsar. Many extrasolar planets share similarities with the planet Jupiter. Scientists call these extrasolar planets hot Jupiters.
Epislon Erdani
- The closest extrasolar planetary system that has been found is 10 light-years away from our solar system. Two extrasolar planets have been found so far in Epislon Erdani, which is in the constellation Eridanus. However, the planets are yet to be confirmed. An asteroid belt exists between Epislon Erdani b and c. Dust rings have been found beyond Epislon Erdani c and extrasolar comets may bump into each other to produce the dust rings.
V391 Pegasi b
- A star passes through several stages, and the first planet found that orbits a star that has passed through the red giant phase is called V391 Pegasi b. This extrasolar planet is in the constellation of Pegasus, which is approximately 4,570 light years away. During the red giant phase, the star expands and the radiation it emits is extreme. This planet is much larger than Earth, which might explain why it can survive the red giant phase of its parent star.

Astronomy