The quest to discover exoplanets—planets orbiting stars beyond our solar system—has seen remarkable progress, thanks to cutting-edge technologies and dedicated missions. In 2024, NASA's Exoplanet Archive confirmed over 5,500 exoplanets, a milestone achieved through instruments like the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). TESS has been instrumental in identifying numerous exoplanet candidates by monitoring the brightness of stars and detecting periodic dips caused by orbiting planets. This method has led to the discovery of planets in various sizes and orbital configurations, expanding our knowledge of planetary systems. science.nasa.gov
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), launched in 2021, has further revolutionized exoplanet research. In June 2025, JWST directly imaged a young gas giant approximately the size of Saturn, located around 110 light-years from Earth. This exoplanet, orbiting the star TWA 7, is about 6 million years old and resides at a distance 52 times greater than Earth's distance from the Sun. This discovery is significant as it marks the first time JWST has directly observed an exoplanet, providing valuable insights into planetary formation and evolution. reuters.com
These advancements not only increase the number of known exoplanets but also enhance our understanding of their diversity and the potential for habitable worlds. Ongoing and future missions, including the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and the Habitable Worlds Observatory, are expected to continue this trend, bringing us closer to answering fundamental questions about the existence of life beyond Earth. astronomy.com