exoplanets
Latest about exoplanets
Deep space 'hurricanes' could point the way to alien worlds
By Stefanie Waldek published
When new planets form in distant solar systems, they carve out 'hurricanes' and 'vortices' in the surrounding dust that could lead astronomers straight to them.
Alien life could be turning harsh planets into paradises — and astronomers want to find them
By Paul Sutter published
Early life made an inhospitable Earth more habitable, and aliens could be doing the same thing on their worlds, new research proposes.
Why hasn't ET phoned Earth? Maybe aliens are waiting for the exact right moment.
By Stephanie Pappas published
A new search for alien signals focuses on planetary transits, when exoplanets pass right in front of their suns.
Scientists are working on an official 'alien contact protocol' for when ET phones Earth
By Isobel Whitcomb published
We're unprepared for when E.T. reaches out to us. A team of experts is determined to change that with the first new alien "contact" protocol in 35 years.
Evolution Predictable Everywhere in the Universe, Scientist Says
By Ker Than last updated
If the history of life could be rewound and replayed, many of the same innovations would reappear. What’s that mean for life on other planets?
Do extraterrestrial auroras occur on other planets?
By Joanna Thompson published
Auroras don't just exist on Earth. Here's what we know about auroras on other planets in the solar system.
'Baby Jupiter' discovered in the process of forming around a star 500 light-years away
By Peter Tuthill, Barnaby Norris published
In new research, scientists have spotted a hot, Jupiter-like gas giant in the process of forming around a star about 500 light-years from Earth.
The Goldilocks zone: The place in a solar system that's just right
By Andrew May published
Reference Discover how finding this habitable zone is essential to uncovered life on other worlds
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.