32 Real Alien Planets You Won't Believe Exist

Distant from the eight well-known planets in our solar system lie numerous strange and extreme worlds waiting to be discovered—some of which have already been uncovered.

Thanks to the swift advancement of telescope technology, astronomers have identified over 5,600 exoplanets beyond our solar system. exoplanets As scientists refer to them, these planets include fiery spheres made entirely of molten rock, alongside those enveloped in vast oceans. Some are scorched by the intense radiation from nearby stars, while others remain shrouded in perpetual darkness. Among them are celestial bodies reminiscent of landscapes seen in “Star Wars,” along with potential habitats harboring alien organisms beyond our wildest imaginations derived even from sci-fi literature.

Come with us as we explore some of the weirdest and most intriguing exoplanets in our surprisingly varied cosmos.

The " hellplanet" where molten lava showers down.

55 Cancri e is a rocky planet approximately eight times larger than Earth, classifying it as a "super Earth" in the realm of exoplanets. Although its dimensions are impressive, the environment on this celestial body is far from hospitable. Frequently referred to as the "planet from hell," 55 Cancri e is entirely enveloped by rivers and oceans of molten lava, and it might even rain lava there as well. The exoplanet is located 41 light-years from Earth, making it a popular target for studies (but not for summer getaways).

Related: 38 Stunning Images from the James Webb Space Telescope

The water world with (potentially) living oceans

K2-18 b is an expansive planet situated approximately 120 light-years away from our Sun. This celestial body resides within what scientists call the "habitable zone," indicating that conditions might be just right for liquid water—and possibly even life—to exist there. Recent observations using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) suggest evidence supporting the possibility of this exoplanet hosting its very own vast liquid-water ocean. could potentially harbor living organisms In this research, JWST identified potential signs of dimethyl sulfide—a substance exclusively released by phytoplankton on our planet—in the atmosphere of an exoplanet.

The real-world "Tatooine"

Luke Skywalker would feel right at home on Kepler-16b . This exoplanet is the first known circumbinary planet — a planet that orbits two stars at the same time, just like Tatooine from the Star Wars franchise. However, because this huge planet has a gassy surface similar to Saturn's, even a Jedi would have a hard time finding their footing on this exoplanet, which is located about 200 light-years from the sun.

The rule-breaking behemoth

The giant exoplanet LHS 3154b has scientists scratching their heads, because it seems far too large for its tiny star. This planet, which is about 13 times more massive than Earth but orbits a star nine times less massive More luminous than the sun, this seems impossible for it to be real, scientists stated when they discovered it in 2023. Further investigations into this “unthinkable” celestial body might overturn our current understanding of how planets form.

What is the biggest exoplanet discovered so far in our universe?

With a diameter two times larger than Jupiter’s, the exoplanet HAT-P-67 b could potentially be the largest in its class. biggest identified planet in existence , when it comes to width. However, regardless of its massive size, there are still more massive worlds out there. This honkin' world, located about 1,200 light-years from Earth, has a very low density, giving it only about one-third the mass of Jupiter.

The "fluffy" planet where sandy rain falls

Situated 200 light-years away from our planet, the exoplanet WASP-107b exhibits an extremely low density, causing it to seem quite "puffed up" when observed through telescopes. Recently, James Webb Space Telescope investigation into the planet revealed clouds potentially made of fine-grained silicate particles, meaning it may literally rain sand on this puffed-up world.

The "eyeball planet" with potentially living seas

Sitting just 50 light-years from Earth, the slitted-eyed distant planet LHS 1140 b It could potentially harbor alien life due to its uniquely structured surface. Researchers examining the planet using the James Webb Space Telescope discovered that much of the planet might be encased in ice—except for an area always facing its parent star. This region likely experiences sufficient stellar warmth to partially thaw the ice into a round, liquid-water ocean, as per their findings. Apart from granting the globe a distinctive target-like look, this uncommon body of water might serve as an ideal environment for extraterrestrial organisms to thrive, they noted.

The rotten-egg world

The exoplanet HD 189733 b About 64 light-years away from us, this celestial body boasts an exceptionally unique chemical makeup, making it almost perceptible even from afar within our galaxy. According to new research conducted with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the atmosphere of this distant world includes substantial quantities of hydrogen sulfide—a poisonous and combustible compound produced by decomposing biological materials and volcanic eruptions here on Earth—known for its foul stench reminiscent of spoiled eggs. Despite being incredibly inhospitable due to extreme temperatures unsuitable for sustaining life (which we're thankful for), discovering these distinctive atmospheric components suggests that the JWST could potentially identify signs of extraterrestrial life in more habitable regions beyond our solar system.

The "Vulcan planet" which might not exist

In an extraordinary instance where science fiction mirrors reality, researchers announced the finding of a planet akin to Vulcan—the birthplace of Mr. Spock from the Star Trek universe. This celestial body was identified in 2018 orbiting the actual star known as 40 Eridani A—precisely the same stellar system that serves as Spock’s homeworld in the renowned sci-fi saga. Nonetheless, recent follow-up observations Some observations of the star have cast doubts on the planet's existence; slight fluctuations in the star’s luminosity might be due to recurrent outbursts on the stellar surface instead of gravitational effects from an orbiting body. As such, the confirmation of the Vulcan planet, known as HD 26965 b, appears less certain than before.

The Earth-like planet around a small, red star

Earth may have a long-lost twin in a nearby star system. Named Gliese 12 b The planet revolves around a small, red-hot star approximately 40 light-years away from us. Interestingly, this exoplanet has a diameter just 1.1 times larger than Earth’s, making it quite comparable to our world. Despite orbiting its parent star at a closer distance—where one local year equates to about 13 Earth days—the star itself is considerably smaller, thus placing the exoplanet within the habitable zone. This allows for the potential presence of liquid water on its surface. Consequently, this far-off cousin might even host forms of life akin to those found on Earth.

A planet of Earth's size that experiences perpetual darkness

Not every Earth-sized planet is fortunate enough to be inhabitable. Consider SPECULOOS-3 b, an Earth-like planet with a rocky composition The orbit of this rocky exoplanet brings it dangerously near to its red dwarf star. It completes a full revolution in just 17 hours, subjecting itself to such intense radiation that most of its atmosphere may have been stripped away ages ago, rendering the planet completely uninhabitable. Although extreme heating isn’t uniform across the globe, due to tidal locking—one hemisphere constantly facing the star while the opposite side remains shrouded in darkness—the conditions vary dramatically between these two extremes.

The crimson volcanic planet that's "dissolving from inside"

Astronomers have identified a planet within a far-off stellar system where volcanic eruptions seem to occur incessantly, causing the globe to emit a reddish glow observable via telescopes. smoldering exoplanet, named TOI-6713.01 Located approximately 66 light-years away from our planet, this celestial body completes an orbit around its star swiftly, taking just 2.2 Earth days for one full revolution. Evidence indicates that the surface of this exoplanet is largely composed of flowing magma, fueled by numerous ongoing volcanic activities. Additionally, intense internal heat generated by gravitational interactions with its star and nearby planetary bodies might be contributing to the melting processes occurring deep inside the planet.

The gaseous planet characterized by winds as fast as bullets

Researchers have charted the climate of a massive exoplanet located about 280 light-years away from our planet, revealing rather harsh conditions. The planet, named WASP-43b is tidally locked, showing only one side constantly towards its star while the opposite side remains shrouded in perpetual night. These extremes create substantial thermal variations, generating powerful gusts of wind that researchers have calculated could reach speeds of up to 5,600 mph (9,000 km/h), much quicker than a rifle bullet.

The nightmarish realm adorned with splendid rainbows

The exoplanet WASP-76 b Located approximately 637 light-years away from our planet, this location would definitely not make your list for an ideal getaway. The exoplanet circles its parent star at a distance twenty times nearer than Mercury does around the Sun, causing scorching temperatures reaching upwards of 4,350 degrees Fahrenheit (or roughly 2,400 degrees Celsius) on its daylight side, thus earning itself the title of a genuine inferno-world. Nonetheless, there exists an intriguing feature; scientists have spotted an unusual luminous patch situated exactly between the illuminated and dark hemispheres of the globe. This anomaly might possibly represent what we know as a 'glory' – a spectacular optical occurrence akin to colorful concentric rings often witnessed here on Earth, painting a grand circular spectacle in the sky.

The massive planets circling deceased stars

One day, the sun will perish—but certain planets within our solar system might endure. Researchers reached this conclusion after identifying two massive planets circling "lifeless" white dwarf stars in far-off stellar systems. WD 1202-232 and WD 2105-82 The planets are believed to have masses ranging from one to seven times that of Jupiter, and they both circle tiny, inactive stars at distances exceeding 11.5 astronomical units from their respective stars. If these findings hold up, they suggest that our own solar system’s similar giants—Jupiter and Saturn—might endure even after the Sun meets its ultimate demise. Unfortunately for us, Earth might not share this fate. likely to get consumed During our sun's ultimate enlargement. )

The "nomad" planets of Orion

The majority of recognized planets circle around stars; however, numerous others might not. Researchers employing the JWST have uncovered hundreds of free-floating "rogue planets" Zooming through the Orion Nebula without being anchored to any star, it’s peculiar that approximately 80 of these wandering planetary bodies are caught in mutual orbits around one another, drifting through space two-by-two. Researchers remain uncertain about both the process that dislodged these worlds from their original stellar systems and the reason behind their paired orbit patterns. Considering these celestial entities possess masses akin to Jupiter, astronomers have coined the term "Jupiter-mass Binary Objects," abbreviated as JuMBOs.

The far-off world that we can genuinely observe

Scientists typically discover exoplanets indirectly by observing variations in the light from far-off stars. However, in 2004, researchers managed to visual verification of an extraterrestrial planet For the very first time, an exoplanet named 2M1207b was detected approximately 170 light-years from Earth, situated within the constellation Centaurus. This celestial body is a gaseous giant with a mass around five times greater than that of Jupiter. Researchers identified this far-off world by observing it across three distinct infrared wavelengths, allowing them to capture the planet’s thermal emissions while effectively masking the glare from its parent star. Following this pioneering find, scientists have since directly imaged nearly 200 additional exoplanets, whereas over 5,000 more were uncovered using alternative detection methods.

The planet featuring clouds made of quartz

Could you envision a sunset seen through a crystalline sky? This might be a possibility on theصند exoplanet WASP-17b A Jupiter-like gas giant, where the scorching conditions cause clouds composed of quartz crystals, as indicated by JWST observations. The planet has an exceptionally tight orbit around its host star, resulting in atmospheric temperatures soaring up to a staggering 2,700°F (1,500°C). At these extreme heats, small silica grains form within the atmosphere, potentially clustering together to create clouds made entirely of quartz, according to the research team.

The baby Jupiter about to be born

Scientists searching for exoplanets focus their efforts not only on finding current planets but also worlds that are on the verge of being created While examining the area surrounding the star V960 Mon, situated approximately 5,000 light-years away from our planet, astronomers detected a gaseous field with clusters where two streams of matter appear to be converging into separate, planetary formations. The research team, which utilized the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope along with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array for their observations, reports that this marks the first instance of capturing imagery showing a nascent star system poised to generate its initial large-scale planets.

The brother planets moving in unison

Orbiting the far-off star PDS 70, which lies 370 light-years away from us, can be found a remarkably uncommon duo of planetary siblings A well-defined world approximately the size of Jupiter seems to rotate around its parent star. Following closely behind this planet, within the same orbital path, lies a massive cluster of gas and debris which scientists believe could potentially be an emerging planetary companion. While just one celestial body clearly qualifies as a complete planet, these two entities together provide the initial proof of what astronomers refer to as "Trojan planets." These are twin worlds that originated almost simultaneously and in close proximity around their central star, sharing identical orbits.

The planet transforming its star into a "spiral galaxy"

Approximately 500 million light-years away from our planet lies a star system that appears unusually recognizable. Enveloped by two gritty spiral arms It mirrors our very own Milky Way galaxy—but on an immensely smaller scale. This star’s resemblance to a galaxy can be attributed to what astronomers believe is a concealed, Jupiter-sized planet known as MWC 758 c. This planet allegedly shaped the star's cloud of dust into impressive spiral arms through its substantial gravitational influence. While the existence of this planet hasn’t been definitively established yet, computer models suggest it could indeed be responsible for giving its host star such an unusual appearance.

The mirror world that shouldn't exist

Many planets reflect at least some of their parent star's light. However, the exoplanet LTT9779 b It reflects an astonishing 80% of the light from its parent star—the highest level of reflectivity found in any known exoplanet. This remarkable albedo can primarily be attributed to a thick layer of metallic clouds enveloping the planet. Researchers believe that this Neptunian-sized planet likely has an atmosphere rich with silicates, akin to glass, along with titanates, salts containing titanium, effectively transforming its atmosphere into something resembling a giant mirror. However, this discovery presents a conundrum for astronomers because the planet circles very close to its sun; conventional understanding suggests that such proximity would strip away its gaseous envelope through intense stellar winds. Experts speculate that the presence of metals within these atmospheric layers might provide enough weight to resist being swept off by those same powerful solar gusts.

The "zombie" planet that outlived its star's demise

The exoplanet 8 Ursae Minoris b
Also referred to as Halla, this planet is a large gas giant similar to Jupiter but with an extremely high temperature. It resides approximately 520 light-years away from our planet. Astronomers believe that due to its proximity to its host star, which has transitioned into a red giant stage, the enormous planet ought to have been entirely vaporized. This star seems to have expanded significantly at some point, likely burning up anything nearby before contracting back down to its present dimensions.
The existence of Halla orbiting so near to such a volatile star indicates one of two possibilities: it may have formed following the star’s reduction in size once more; alternatively, what we see now could be the result of two binary stars merging together, thus averting their individual expansion processes destructive paths through space.

The water world with a steam atmosphere

The exoplanet GJ 1214b It sits merely 40 light-years away from our planet, yet its surface is concealed beneath dense layers of cloud, making scientific observation challenging until now. Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope’s ability to see in infrared, researchers were able to look past these atmospheric veils. They discovered evidence indicating that this exoplanet might have an environment composed largely of vapor, which implies that substantial quantities of water could exist on its surface underneath those clouds.

The Earth-like planet with no atmosphere

Orbiting the remote star TRAPPIST-1, there are seven terrestrial, Earth-sized planets circulating within its habitable zone. Astronomers are keenly exploring whether these planets might have environments suitable for life. Among them, TRAPPIST-1b It might be officially off the list. The JWST’s examination of this rocky, Earth-like planet shows temperatures soaring up to around 450°F (232°C), indicating it likely lacks an atmosphere. While some of its blisteringly hot neighboring worlds could potentially offer conditions suitable for life, further investigation is necessary to confirm this.

The extraterrestrial sandstorm planet

Scientists using JWST have spotted a gargantuan sandstorm raging on the exoplanet VHS 1256 b Located approximately 40 light-years away from our planet, this massive celestial body orbits at an immense distance from its star, taking around 10,000 years for one full revolution. This vast separation allows astronomers to observe the exoplanet’s atmosphere with relative clarity, free from excessive interference caused by the parent star's luminosity. New findings have revealed extremely heated cloud formations composed of silicate grains circulating within the planetary atmosphere. Researchers suggest these indications might point towards what could be described as a colossal dust storm occurring in space.

A planet warmer than a star

KELT-9b Located 670 light-years away from our planet, KELT-9b is an exceptionally scorching gas giant akin to Jupiter. It boasts an astounding surface temperature of approximately 7,800 degrees Fahrenheit (or about 4,300 degrees Celsius). When first identified, it held the title for being the most swelteringly hot exoplanet known; indeed, it outshines many stars with its extreme warmth. The blistering temperatures wreak havoc on its atmosphere: On the side facing its host star, the relentless stellar radiation breaks apart hydrogen molecules into atoms which then scatter throughout the entire globe. Given how half of KELT-9b’s atmosphere continually evaporates due to these conditions, traveling here would be thoroughly unadvisable.

The toxic football planet

Situated roughly 900 light-years away from our planet, the exoplanet WASP-121b It is extremely hot, causing heavy metals like iron and magnesium to continuously boil within its atmosphere before escaping into space. Researchers observed these metal atoms at such elevated altitudes that they were able to overcome gravitational attraction and float off. This intense warmth stems from the planet’s very close orbit around its parent star. Indeed, this proximity has led to significant tidal effects caused by the star’s gravitational force, deforming the planet into an elongated, rugby ball-like form distinct from typically found round planets.

The incredibly tiny realm hurtling along at an astonishing pace

Situated 35 light-years away from our planet, L 98-59b It ranks among the least massive exoplanets found, boasting a mass only 0.4 times that of our own planet. This diminutive celestial body zips swiftly around its parent star, finishing an orbital loop in merely two days and six hours. Due to this rapid motion and proximity to its star, the planet absorbs approximately 22 times more stellar radiation than Earth gets from the Sun, which likely makes it inhospitable for life.

Earth's "older cousin"

The exoplanet Kepler-452 b is so much like our home planet that NASA has named this celestial body as "Earth’s elder sibling.” This rocky exoplanet circles a star akin to our Sun at almost exactly the same orbital radius, completing one orbit every approximately 385 days. Consequently, the planet resides squarely within the habitable zone, potentially allowing liquid water to persist on its surface. However, despite these similarities, we must consider ourselves distant relatives since it sits roughly 1,800 light-years away; thus, reaching it via spaceship remains an aspiration for more than thirty million years into the future.

The eerily similar neighboring planets

The exoplanet Kepler-36b is a rocky planet approximately 1.5 times larger than Earth and located incredibly near to another celestial body, the Neptune-like exoplanet named Kepler-36c. Every 97 days on average, these two distant worlds come exceedingly close to one another; at their nearest point, they are just under five Earth-Moon distances apart. During these extreme closenesses, the immense gravitational pull between them generates substantial tidal forces, potentially triggering intense volcanic activity on the rocky Kepler-36b.

The unfortunate planet orbiting a young star

The exoplanet AU Microscopii b
Located approximately 32 light-years away from our planet, AU Microscopii b finds itself distressingly close to its parent star at merely six million miles (nine point six million kilometers). This star is exceptionally youthful and volatile for a red dwarf, estimated to be around 23 million years old – which makes it practically an infant in astronomical age compared to our Sun’s 4.6-billion-year lifespan.
This juvenile star frequently experiences intense eruptions releasing radiation far more powerful than even the most extreme solar flares emitted by our Sun; these events occur numerous times stronger. Unfortunately, AU Microscopii b often lies within this zone of bombardment. Scientists observing the area have detected substantial chunks of matter circling closely to the exoplanet, indicating that the unstable star might be gradually stripping off parts of the planet's atmospheric envelope over time through constant exposure to such harsh conditions.