7 Strangest Exoplanets

What are the strangest exoplanets we have found?

Kepler-16b [Real-life Tatooine]

Kepler-16b is a real-life Tatooine from Star Wars. Being able to view two sunsets, as this exoplanet follows a circumbinary orbit, meaning that it orbits two stars. Kepler-16b lies outside of the habitable zone and is similar in size to Saturn. It is also cold and gaseous, and also partly made of rock.

Kepler-22b [Real-life Subnautica?]

If you have played the game Subnautica, you may have wondered if there are any planets out there that are ‘ocean worlds’. This perhaps might be just that! Kepler-22b could be covered in a massive ocean, we are not completely sure yet. This planet is considered a ‘super-earth’, so it is larger than Earth, but also not too much, and it might be a rocky planet as well. Everything seems to indicate an ocean world!

KELT-9 b [Molecule Destroyer]

The temperature of this exoplanet is more than 7,800 degrees Fahrenheit, being hotter than many stars. The heat is so hot that even molecules of hydrogen are ripped apart on the dayside.

WASP-12 b [The Egg]

WASP-12b orbits extremely close to its parent star, the gravity causes tidal forces which deform the planet into a type of ‘egg shape’. It orbits its star in just 1.1 days, so a year here is almost the same as its day!

55 Cancri e [Lava World]

55 Cancri e is very close to its star and could be covered in flowing lava seas. Not only that, but the atmosphere contains silicates, which reflect lava below it, and hence making the sky sparkle!

HD 189733 b [Glass Rain]

In this exoplanet, it rains. But not normal rain… Glass rain! And to make it even worse, extremely strong winds of 5,400 mph (2km/s) take that glass and move it sideways. This planet is essentially a celestial blender.

TrES-2 b [Nightmare Planet]

You could also call this planet the demon planet, or whatever sounds more threatening. But it is essentially extremely dark, the darkest planet to be discovered that orbits a star. This exoplanet is less reflective than even coal. Scientists think that you could also see a deep red glow from its atmosphere.

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Topics Covered:
Physics - Astronomy - Biology - Chemistry - Technology

Bibliography:

Strange New Worlds - Exoplanet Exploration - NASA