Exoplanets

Did Webb Detect an Atmosphere on Hot Super-Earth 55 Cancri e?

New Webb data suggests that the hot super-Earth 55 Cancri e has a thick atmosphere, perhaps maintained by the planet's magma ocean.

55 Cancri e, artist's concept

Exoplanets

Atmosphere, Not Lava Flows, for Exoplanet 55 Cancri e

Previous studies of 55 Cancri e haven’t been able to determine whether this super-Earth hosts an atmosphere. A new study settles the question.

55 Cancri e, animated

Exoplanets

Hot Nights, Hotter Days on Exoplanet 55 Cancri e

A new thermal map of a super-Earth exoplanet is puzzling astronomers.

55 Cancri e

Exoplanets

Hubble Sheds Light on Super Exoplanets

New observations from the Hubble Space Telescope are helping characterize the atmospheres of exotic planets such as 55 Cancri e.

Artist rendering of 42 Draconis

Stellar Science

New Star and Exoplanet Names OK'd by IAU

Following a wildly popular contest, the International Astronomical Union has named 14 stars and 31 planets that orbit them.

Exoplanets

Volcanoes on a Super-Earth?

Observations of nearby super-Earth 55 Cancri e reveal huge, as-yet unexplained changes in the exoplanet’s infrared emission, and volcanoes are one possible cause.

Exoplanets

Planets’ Wacky Orbits Solved

By combining nearly 1,500 observations with sophisticated computer models, astronomers have shed light on a nearby planetary system, proving that the planets' bizarre orbits will actually remain stable for the next 100 million years.

Exoplanets

The Hottest, Densest Super-Earth Yet

Two research teams combine forces to study the wildest exoplanet yet identified.