Astronomers discover 200 new planets during 2022, some similar to Earth and Mars

FLORIDA – Astronomers have discovered more than 200 of them planet new in 2022, bringing the total of known exoplanets to over 5,235 exoplanets. Many of these planets were discovered using various space exploration missions, such as the Atacama Large Millimeter or Submillimeter Array in Chile and James Webb telescopic head (JWST) .

Interestingly, of these 200 new planets and nearly 5,000 exoplanets, only about 4% are thought to be rocky worlds like Earth and Mars. Exoplanets have a wide variety of worlds in terms of composition and characteristics, while some are small and rocky similar to Earth.

“We started the year with fewer than 5,000 confirmed exoplanets. In total we have discovered 5,235 new known planets. About 4% are rocky planets like Earth or Mars,” NASA wrote via a Twitter account quoted by SINDOnews’ NDTV page on Monday (2/1/2022).

Read also; Amateur astronomers find two new planets 352 light-years away

Astronomers discovered a new planet in 2022, called HD 109833 b. It is a Neptune-like exoplanet orbiting a G-type star. Astronomers found it using the transit method.

In recent discoveries, astronomers have found that two exoplanets may be composed mostly of water. The water was not detected directly, but by comparing the size and mass of the planet with models.

Astronomers are also taking a closer look at planets like GJ 1252b, discovered two years ago, which could help ease the search for alien life. Another new exoplanet discovered this year could also change all opinions on planet formation.

Read also; 7 times the size of Earth, astronomers discover a new planet with 3 suns

The launch of the James Webb Space Telescope has helped the search for more exoplanets. One of the main goals of this $10 billion telescope is to study the life cycles of stars and planets.

(wib)