Astrophysics & Particle Physics-APPC 2026

Exoplanets are planets that are gravitationally bound to stars other than the Sun. Detection of the far-away worlds has dramatically changed our knowledge of planetary systems and their variety. Following the first confirmed detection in the 1990s, thousands of exoplanets have been found, including gas giants such as hot Jupiters, rocky super-Earths, and potentially habitable planets.Exoplanet research encompasses several detection techniques. The transit technique detects dips in starlight as a planet moves in front of its host star, and the radial velocity technique picks up on gravitational wobbles due to planet orbits. Other methods, including direct imaging and gravitational microlensing, enable researchers to look at exoplanets and determine their properties directly.Exoplanet research also aims to learn about planetary atmospheres, composition, climate, and any indications of life.

Space missions such as Kepler, TESS, and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have returned unparalleled data, allowing detailed investigations of atmospheric gases, temperature profiles, and habitability potential.Exoplanets range in size from small to large and are composed of rock and/or gas, with differing orbital characteristics, showcasing the stunning diversity of planetary systems. Some are very close to their stars with extreme temperatures, others are in the habitable zone where liquid water could be possible. Observation of these planets assists scientists in learning about planet formation, migration, and the evolution of planetary systems and provides them with hints about the formation of our own solar system.Exoplanet study also overlaps with astrobiology because scientists look for biosignatures and circumstances that might harbor life outside of Earth. By studying exoplanets, scientists hope to provide answers to basic questions of how common life is in the universe and what makes our cosmic neighborhood special. Exoplanetary science continues to grow at breakneck speed, with new results refining our knowledge of planets, stars, and the universe as a whole. Research on exoplanets not only broadens our understanding of astrophysics but also stimulates the search for other potentially inhabited worlds.