“The Exoplanet Zoo.” All images © Martin Vargic, shared with permission
Not until 1992 did astronomers confirm that there were planets outside our solar system, and in the 30-plus years that have followed, researchers have discovered at least 6,660 exoplanets across nearly 4,900 systems. In his latest project, artist and author Martin Vargic turns that staggering number into a pair of striking infographics.
Utilizing a trio of public databases—The Extrasolar Planet Encyclopaedia, NASA Exoplanet Archive, and ExoKyoto—Vargic gathered information on the sizes and equilibrium temperatures of about 1,600 exoplanets, along with their possible colors. Current technology isn’t capable of discerning their exact textures and color, so he based many of his renderings on existing illustrations, the likelihood of clouds and haze, and the Sudarsky scale, which organizes planets into five categories according to the properties of their atmospheres.
“We have discovered many diverse exotic worlds such as hot Jupiters with clouds of molten rock, water worlds covered by a world-spanning unfathomably deep superocean, red-hot lava planets, or planets darker than coal,” the artist writes.
Detail of “The Exoplanet Zoo”
For “The Exoplanet Zoo,” Vargic arranged about 1,100 renderings by the amount of heat they receive from stars, creating a mesmerizing gradient of color and size for easy comparison. “Icy and Rocky Worlds” is similar, although it features approximately 900 exoplanets believed to be terrestrial like Earth.
As with any discussion of distant galaxies and the unknown possibilities within them, Vargic also addresses the question of life beyond our solar system. He says:
As the first lifeforms developed on Earth very soon after its formation, it’s likely that many planets in the habitable zone might possess at least primitive single-celled life. The longer a planet spent in the habitable zone after its formation, there is a higher likelihood of complex life on its surface… It has been calculated there are almost nine billion Earth-sized planets within their star’s habitable zone just in our own galaxy, more than one such planet for every living person!
Each poster is available in Vargic’s shop, where he shares additional detail images. It’s also worth reading his full explanation of the differences in exoplanets and taking a look at the high-resolution versions of the posters.
Detail of “The Exoplanet Zoo”
“Icy and Rocky Worlds”
Detail of “Icy and Rocky Worlds”
Detail of “Icy and Rocky Worlds”
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