Extrasolar Planets in
the Neighborhood

The Viewing Cube, 16 parsecs (52 light years) across. The red, "orbits" symbol indicates star systems which are known to have planets. Here There Be Planets Over 500 extrasolar planets have been discovered. Nearly all are Jupiter-sized worlds incapable of harboring life as we know it. But in time we may develop the techniques to detect smaller worlds like our own Earth. This example of the Viewing Cube is 16 parsecs (52.2 light years) across. The red "orbits" symbol tells us which star systems have known planets. Gas giant, planet Jupiter. Most currently known, extrasolar planets are like Jupiter. Picture courtesy NASA.

The Viewing Cube, 32 parsecs (104 light years) across. The red, "orbits" symbol indicates star systems which are known to have planets. Planets and More Planets Of the known planetary systems, over three hundred reside within the Solar vicinity. Many of the systems contain more than one known planet. In fact one—HD 10180—has six! Discover where all of the planets are. Buy Stars in the NeighborHood now. Artist's depiction of an alien sun and terrestrial world. One day Earth-like planets like this may be discovered in other star systems. Copyright 2003 Carl Martin.