Strange new worlds: Over 5,000 planets confirmed to exist beyond solar system, says NASA


An artist's impression of the James Webb Space Telescope, among the powerful next-generation telescopes that will capture light from the atmospheres of exoplanets, reading which gases are present to potentially identify signs of habitable conditions. – NASA Handout

LOS ANGELES: More than 5,000 planets have been found to exist beyond the solar system, a milestone for astronomy confirmed by NASA on Monday (March 21).

The 5,000-plus exoplanets found so far include small, rocky worlds like Earth, gas giants many times larger than Jupiter, and "hot Jupiters" in scorchingly close orbits around their stars, according to NASA, said Xinhua news agency.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

ICE crackdown creates double-edged campaign issue for Republicans and Democrats
Europe's leaders stand firm in Davos as CEOs warn on emotions
Six-year-old girl who went to see Lion King is family's sole survivor of Spanish train crash
Feature: Ban or Embrace? Portugal's education system grapples with human cost of AI
Jailed UK baby killer Lucy Letby will not face new charges, prosecutors say
Italian ski resort Courmayeur bans indoor sparklers after deadly Swiss fire
Turkey probing flag burning at protests along Syrian border
South Africa mining output down 2.7 pct in November 2025
Syrian defence ministry announces four-day ceasefire after new accord with Kurdish force
French PM forces part of budget bill through lower house without vote

Others Also Read