Exoplanet

This article was the featured article on 2 September 2023.

An extrasolar planet, better known as an exoplanet is a planet-like object outside of the Solar System. It orbits a star and may have exomoons orbiting it.

Star

Exoplanets are usually found orbiting lower-mass stars, as higher-mass stars blow their planets away as they form. Some high-mass stars go supernova before any planets even get the chance to form. Some lower-mass supernova stars have planets, resulting in many exoplanets orbiting neutron stars and pulsars.

Orange and yellow dwarfs are the best stars for habitability - red dwarfs create stellar flares and the planets are tidally locked, and higher-mass stars last too short. The Sun is a yellow dwarf.

See also

• Hot Jupiter