List of exoplanets discovered in 2026

Closest exoplanet to the Solar system is Proxima Centauri b, located approximately 4.24 light-years (1.30 parsecs) from the Sun. Several exoplanets have been discovered orbiting Barnard's Star, which is the second closest star system to the Sun, at a distance of about 5.96 light-years (1.83 parsecs).

Exoplanets are discovered mainly using the transit method, radial velocity method, direct imaging, and gravitational microlensing. These techniques allow astronomers to detect planets orbiting stars outside our solar system.

As of now, more than five thousand exoplanets have been discovered orbiting stars outside our solar system. The exact number continues to grow as new discoveries are made using various detection methods.

The nearest potentially habitable exoplanet is Proxima Centauri b, located approximately 4.24 light-years (1.30 parsecs) from the Sun. It orbits within the habitable zone of its star, where conditions might be suitable for liquid water to exist.