In search of planets beyond our solar system

After years of searching, NASA’s astronomers have successfully find over 5,000 exoplanets -- planets which orbits another Sun. We have curated a list of six such planets that were discovered by astronomers since 2006. Do note: the images used to depict such planets are artist’s impression for the planets.

Super cold Earth: Discovered in January 2006, OGLE 2005-BLG-390L is a cold super-Earth, nicknamed “Hoth,” with a surface locked in the deepest of deep freezes. (photo: NASA)

Earth’s cousin: Discovered in July 2015, Kepler-452 b is an "Earth-cousin" that orbits a star like our sun in the habitable zone, where liquid water could exist. (photo: NASA)

Ice Giant: Discovered in February 2012, Kepler-22 b is a possible ocean world orbiting in the habitable zone—the region around a star where the temperature is right for liquid water, a requirement for life on Earth. (photo: NASA)

Hot Jupiter: Discovered in April 2017, Kepler-7 b is a massive world called a hot Jupiter, Kepler-7b was the first exoplanet to have its clouds mapped. (photo: NASA)

Super-earth: Discovered in October 2014, 55 Cnc e is a hot, rocky planet locked by gravity with one side always facing its star and one side permanently plunged in darkness. Wild swings in temperature hint at a surface that may be bubbling with rivers of lava. (photo: NASA)

Gas Giant: Discovered in September 2011, Kepler-16b is a world where two suns set over the horizon instead of just one, the first Tatooine-like planet found in our galaxy. (photo: NASA)