The Most Beautiful Exoplanet, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the exoplanet you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on May 2, 2024 06:18

In the realm of endless stars and galaxies, the allure of exoplanets captivates astronomers and dreamers alike. These distant worlds, each unique in its features and atmosphere, offer a glimpse into the unimaginable diversity of the universe. By ranking these celestial bodies based on their beauty, we tap into a collective curiosity, bringing a piece of the cosmos closer to our understanding. Voting on the aesthetics of exoplanets not only fuels our fascination with the stars but also engages a community of space enthusiasts in a shared adventure. Each vote is a voice, an expression of wonder at the grand tapestry of the universe. As we classify these distant planets, we weave together a narrative of cosmic beauty, encouraging everyone to contribute to this celestial gallery.

What Is the Most Beautiful Exoplanet?

1

49
votes
NASA, ESA, M. Kornmesser · CC BY 4.0

HD 189733 b

Astronomers

This exoplanet is known for its deep blue color, caused by the presence of silicate particles in its atmosphere. It is also one of the most studied exoplanets, making it a popular choice for astronomers.
HD 189733 b is a captivating exoplanet located approximately 63 light years away from Earth in the constellation Vulpecula. It belongs to the category of hot Jupiters, which are gas giant planets that orbit very close to their host stars. This exoplanet was first discovered in 2005 by a team of astronomers using the radial velocity method.

Mass: 1.13 Jupiter masses

Radius: 1.14 Jupiter radii

Temperature: around 1,200 degrees Celsius

Orbital Period: 2.21857567 Earth days

Distance from Earth: approximately 63 light years
2

35
votes
Kepler-186f

This exoplanet is the first Earth-sized planet discovered in the habitable zone of another star. It has a red sky due to its star's color and is believed to have a similar climate to Earth.
Kepler-186f is an exoplanet located approximately 490 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. It was discovered by NASA's Kepler spacecraft in 2014. Kepler-186f is considered one of the most Earth-like exoplanets found to date.

Discovery year: 2014

Distance from Earth: 490 light-years

Constellation: Cygnus

Planet type: Rocky

Size: 10% larger than Earth
3

17
votes
WASP-12b

This exoplanet is known for its extreme heat and short lifespan. It is so close to its star that it is being torn apart by the star's gravity. Its unique qualities make it a fascinating object of study for astronomers.
WASP-12b is an exoplanet located approximately 1,400 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Auriga. It was discovered in 2008 and is known for its unique and fascinating characteristics.

Mass: 1.4 Jupiter masses

Radius: 1.8 Jupiter radii

Surface Temperature: Over 2,600 degrees Celsius

Orbital Period: Approximately 26 hours

Distance from Parent Star: 0.022 AU (Astronomical Units)
4

14
votes
U. Texas, NSF, NASA · Public domain

55 Cancri e

This exoplanet is known for its diamond-like composition, caused by high pressure and temperatures. It is also one of the closest exoplanets to Earth, making it an excellent target for study.
55 Cancri e is an exoplanet located approximately 40 light-years away in the constellation of Cancer. It is one of the most beautiful exoplanets known for its mesmerizing appearance and unique characteristics.

Mass: 8.08 Earth masses

Radius: 1.91 times that of Earth

Density: 5.9 g/cm³

Surface Temperature: Over 2,000 degrees Celsius

Orbital Period: 18 hours and 36 minutes
5

15
votes
TrES-2b

This exoplanet is one of the darkest known, reflecting less than 1% of the light that falls on it. It is believed to be covered in dark, light-absorbing material, making it a unique and intriguing object of study.
TrES-2b is an exoplanet located approximately 750 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Draco. It was discovered in 2006 by a team of astronomers led by David Charbonneau. TrES-2b is known for being one of the darkest exoplanets discovered, as it reflects less than 1% of the sunlight that falls on it. Its dark nature is believed to be due to its atmosphere containing light-absorbing chemicals and particles.

Discovered: 2006

Distance from Earth: Approximately 750 light-years

Constellation: Draco

Reflectivity: < 1%

Atmospheric Composition: Light-absorbing chemicals and particles
6

5
votes
Aldaron, a.k.a. Aldaron · CC BY-SA 3.0

Gliese 581g

This exoplanet is believed to be one of the most Earth-like, with a similar size and orbit around its star. It is also located in the habitable zone of its star, making it a potential candidate for life.
Gliese 581g is a potentially habitable exoplanet located in the Gliese 581 system, approximately 20 light-years away from Earth. It was discovered by a team of astronomers at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2010. Gliese 581g garnered attention due to its location within the habitable zone of its host star, where liquid water could potentially exist on the planet's surface.

Discovery Year: 2010

Location: Gliese 581 system

Distance from Earth: Approximately 20 light-years

Host Star: Gliese 581

Habitability: Potentially habitable
7

11
votes
K2-18b

This exoplanet is another potential candidate for life, with a rocky surface and the presence of water vapor in its atmosphere. It is also located in the habitable zone of its star, making it a promising target for future study.
K2-18b is a remarkable exoplanet located approximately 110 light-years away from Earth. It was discovered by the Kepler Space Telescope's extended K2 mission.

Mass: 8.6 times the mass of Earth

Radius: 2.4 times the radius of Earth

Temperature: Estimated between -73 and 46 degrees Celsius

Composition: Primarily rocky with an atmosphere containing hydrogen and helium

Distance from its star: Within the habitable zone of its star
8

8
votes
ESA/Hubble · CC BY 4.0

HD 209458 b

Dimitar Sasselov

This exoplanet is known for its unique atmosphere, which contains hydrogen and oxygen. It is also one of the first exoplanets discovered to transit its star, making it an important object of study for astronomers.
HD 209458 b, also known as Osiris, is an exoplanet located approximately 153 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Pegasus. It was discovered in 1999 by a team of astronomers led by Romanian physicist Dimitar Sasselov.

Mass: 0.69 Jupiter masses

Radius: 1.38 Jupiter radii

Orbital Period: 3.525 days

Surface Temperature: 1,130°C

Atmospheric Composition: Hydrogen, Helium
9

9
votes
Kepler-438b

This exoplanet is the most Earth-like planet discovered to date, with a similar size and temperature to Earth. It is also located in the habitable zone of its star, making it a potential candidate for life.
Kepler-438b is a fascinating exoplanet located approximately 470 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Lyra. It was discovered by NASA's Kepler space telescope.

Distance from Earth: Approximately 470 light-years

Location: Constellation Lyra

Discovery Method: Transit Photometry

Planet Class: Potentially habitable exoplanet

Size: 1.1 times the size of Earth
10

5
votes
HAT-P-7b

This exoplanet is known for its extreme temperatures and strong winds, which can reach up to 5,000 miles per hour. It is also one of the brightest exoplanets discovered, making it a popular target for study.
HAT-P-7b is an exoplanet located approximately 1,040 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Cygnus. It was discovered by the Hungarian Automated Telescope Network (HATNet) project in 2008. This gas giant has been widely recognized as one of the most beautiful exoplanets due to its unique features.

Distance from Earth: Approximately 1,040 light-years

Location: Constellation Cygnus

Discovery Year: 2008

Size: Approximately 1.4 times larger than Jupiter

Mass: Approximately 1.8 times more massive than Jupiter

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Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful exoplanet

Visual Aesthetics

The overall appearance of the exoplanet, including its color, texture, and atmospheric patterns. This can be determined from available images, artistic renditions, or data analysis of the planet's composition and atmosphere.
Planetary Composition

The materials that make up the planet, such as the presence of exotic elements, unique minerals, or ices, can enhance its beauty and allure.
Atmospheric Characteristics

Different atmospheres can display various colors and patterns, especially when considering the effect of sunlight scattering, clouds, or aurorae. The composition and thickness of the atmosphere can indirectly affect the planet's overall visual appearance.
Orbital and Stellar Characteristics

The location of the exoplanet in relation to its parent star can play a role in its beauty, especially if it leads to stunning views of the star, other planets, or phenomena like eclipses or transits. The type, size, and color of the star can also contribute to the planet's appearance.
Potential for Life

The existence or potential for life on an exoplanet can make it more intriguing and beautiful for some people, as it adds a layer of complexity and richness to the planet's overall story.
Presence of Unique Features

Certain exoplanets may possess unique or striking surface features, such as massive volcanoes, deep canyons, towering mountains or vast oceans. These features can add to the overall beauty and fascination of the planet.
Planetary System

The arrangement of the exoplanet's entire planetary system can impact its beauty. For example, if the planet is part of a captivating multiplanet system with other visually striking planets, it may boost the overall visual appeal of the exoplanet.
Rarity

If an exoplanet displays rare and unusual characteristics, it may be regarded as more beautiful simply because of its uniqueness.
Cultural or Emotional Significance

The human perception of beauty can be influenced by factors such as cultural background, personal emotions, or even associations with specific themes or stories from science fiction or popular culture. As such, some exoplanets may be considered more beautiful due to these factors.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful exoplanet. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or exoplanet is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2558 views
160 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each exoplanet once every 24 hours. The rank of each exoplanet is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful exoplanet

Background Information: Exoplanets are planets that exist beyond our solar system and orbit around stars other than our sun. Since the discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995, astronomers have found thousands of exoplanets, some of which are potentially habitable. The search for exoplanets has expanded our understanding of the universe and the possibility of life beyond our own planet. In recent years, advancements in technology have allowed us to gather more information about exoplanets, including their size, composition, and even their potential to support life. With so many unique and fascinating exoplanets to explore, the question of which one is the most beautiful is up for debate.