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Exoplanets
Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. Since the first confirmed discovery in 1992, astronomers have identified almost 6,000 exoplanets, with many more awaiting confirmation.More about Exoplanets
List of nearest exoplanets
Closest exoplanets, the worlds discovered beyond the Solar System sorted by the distance of their host stars from the Sun. These close systems are especially important because their planets are easier to observe, measure, and study in detail. Nearby exoplanets are prime targets for current and future observations aimed at understanding planetary atmospheres, compositions, and potential habitability. As detection methods improve, the census of planets around the closest stars continues to grow, revealing a wide diversity of worlds—from rocky planets to gas giants. Exploring the nearest exoplanets is a key step toward understanding how planetary systems form and how our own Solar System compares to others in the Milky Way.
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| Exoplanet | Discovery |
Mass |
Distance (Light Years) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nu2 Lupi b | 2011 | 4.6 M⊕ | 48.1 ly | |
| Nu2 Lupi d | 2011 | 8.7 M⊕ | 48.1 ly | |
| Nu2 Lupi c | 2011 | 11.3 M⊕ | 48.1 ly | |
| LHS 3844 b | 2019 | 2.3 M⊕ | 48.5 ly | |
| HD 176051 A b | 2010 | 476.9 M⊕ | 48.6 ly | |
| 20 Leonis Minoris A b | 09 / 2024 | 9.2 M⊕ | 48.7 ly | |
| Gliese 378 b | 2019 | 13 M⊕ | 48.8 ly | |
| LHS 1140 b | 2017 | 5.6 M⊕ | 48.8 ly | |
| LHS 1140 c | 2018 | 1.9 M⊕ | 48.8 ly | |
| LHS 1140 d | 3.9 M⊕ | 48.8 ly | ||
| Gliese 163 d | 2013 | 20.2 M⊕ | 49.4 ly | |
| Gliese 163 f | 2019 | 6.8 M⊕ | 49.4 ly | |
| Gliese 163 b | 2012 | 10 M⊕ | 49.4 ly | |
| Gliese 163 c | 2012 | 7.6 M⊕ | 49.4 ly | |
| Gliese 163 e | 2019 | 13.6 M⊕ | 49.4 ly | |
| Gliese 317 c | 2018 | 531.9 M⊕ | 49.5 ly | |
| Gliese 317 b | 2007 | 589.1 M⊕ | 49.5 ly | |
| HD 38858 b | 2011 | 30.6 M⊕ | 49.6 ly | |
| Gliese 238 b | 07 / 2024 | - | 49.6 ly | |
| HD 140901 A b | 08 / 2022 | 15.9 M⊕ | 49.7 ly | |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest exoplanet?
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).
What methods are used to discover exoplanets?
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.
How many exoplanets have been discovered?
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.
What is the closest habitable planet?
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.
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StellarGuide: Exoplanets
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