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About

The characterization of extrasolar planets has shifted from simple detection to complex atmospheric and geological modeling. This database aggregates high-fidelity data from the Kepler, TESS, and ground-based radial velocity surveys. It is designed for researchers and students who require precise physical parameters - such as semi-major axis, eccentricity, and insolational flux - to understand the diversity of planetary formation.

Understanding a planet's potential for life requires more than just its orbital distance. We must calculate the Earth Similarity Index (ESI) and surface gravity, factors that determine atmospheric retention and tectonic activity. This tool provides a rigorous comparison engine, allowing users to simulate the gravitational environment of Super-Earths and Hot Jupiters relative to terrestrial standards. Accuracy in these comparative metrics is critical for filtering targets for future James Webb Space Telescope observations.

astronomy astrophysics exoplanets space-exploration kepler-data habitable-zone

Formulas

To determine the surface gravity of a rocky exoplanet relative to Earth, we apply Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, scaling the result to Earth units. This metric is vital for determining the feasibility of human exploration or the potential height of topographical features.

grel MpRp2

Where Mp is the planet's mass in Earth masses (M) and Rp is the radius in Earth radii (R). Additionally, the equilibrium temperature is estimated assuming a specific Bond albedo (A) and stellar luminosity (L).

Teq = Tstar Rstar2 a [
1 A
]
1/4

Reference Data

Planet DesignationRadius RMass MDensity g/cm3Period daysGravity gEq. Temp KDiscovery
TRAPPIST-1 e0.910.775.606.100.932512017
Proxima Centauri b1.031.276.0011.21.202342016
Kepler-186 f1.171.404.70129.91.021882014
LHS 1140 b1.636.388.2024.72.402302017
K2-18 b2.618.632.6732.91.272652015
WASP-121 b19.73900.701.271.0023582015
Teegarden b1.021.055.404.911.012602019
TOI-700 d1.141.254.6037.40.962462020
Kepler-452 b1.635.006.30384.81.882652015
55 Cancri e1.887.996.660.742.2619502004
HD 209458 b14.62200.373.521.0314001999
Gliese 667 Cc1.543.805.7028.11.602772011

Frequently Asked Questions

The Conservative Habitable Zone is defined by the "Moist Greenhouse" and "Maximum Greenhouse" limits. Inside this zone, a planet with an Earth-like atmosphere can maintain liquid water on its surface. The Optimistic Zone extends this boundary based on historical evidence that Mars and Venus may have once held liquid water, despite being outside the conservative limits today.
Radius alone is insufficient. A planet with a radius of 1.6 Earths could be a dense, rocky world (Super-Earth) or a low-density world with a thick hydrogen atmosphere (Mini-Neptune). Determining mass via Radial Velocity allows us to calculate density ($\rho = M/V$), breaking this degeneracy and revealing the bulk composition.
Planets orbiting M-dwarf stars are often tidally locked, meaning one side permanently faces the star. This creates extreme temperature gradients. However, thick atmospheres can redistribute heat from the day side to the night side. The database notes tidal locking risks as they significantly alter potential climate models.
Data shows a scarcity of planets with radii between 1.5 and 2.0 Earth radii. This gap implies two distinct populations: rocky cores that stripped their atmospheres (smaller) and those that retained thick gaseous envelopes (larger). Planets found within this gap are rare and scientifically valuable for studying atmospheric photoevaporation.
Known as "Puffy Planets" or Hot Jupiters, these bodies orbit very close to their stars. The intense heat inflates their atmospheres, increasing volume without adding mass, resulting in densities sometimes lower than cork (less than 0.2 g/cm³).