Exoplanetarium -

How Did We Get Here?

We currently have more than 5,500 confirmed exoplanets with varying features. Some of these have solid structures, others are gas giants, and others are fully covered with liquid. But this information was not always available. In fact, before 1992, no astronomer had confirmed the existence of such planets. All this has changed in the last four decades.

Should You Care About Exoplanets?

The fuss about exoplanets is evident, be it in the government, the local coffee shop, or the nearby elementary school.

How Are Citizens Playing a Role?

Advances in astronomy are not just for researchers. Instead, public engagement has been high in the last few decades. So, if you are not actively involved in the field of astronomy, you can engage in citizen science projects. These allow you to take part in data collection no matter your location, enabling you to be part of the key findings.

Where Are We Going Next?

Scientists are embarking on some exciting space missions in the next decade. One such mission is the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which launches in 2027 and will use a combination of approaches to detect new exoplanets while looking into their atmospheres. ESA’s Ariel Mission, which starts in 2029 will aim at gathering information about the atmospheres and structures of confirmed exoplanets.