In the last decade, the emergence of new exoplanets has become one of the main focuses of astrobiology and astronomy. Exoplanets are planets that are outside our solar system, and research on them can provide deep insight into the possibility of life outside Earth. Recently, several exoplanets have attracted the attention of scientists, both because of their unique characteristics and their potential to support life. One of the most interesting new exoplanets is TOI-700 d. This planet is located about 100 light years from Earth in the constellation Dorado. TOI-700 d is a planet in the habitable zone, meaning there is likely to be liquid water on its surface. This discovery comes from NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) observations, and was announced in early 2020. Another prominent exoplanet is K2-18 b, which was previously known, but attracted renewed attention after the detection of traces of hydrogen and carbon molecules possibly associated with its atmosphere. This planet is larger than Earth and is located in the habitable zone of the star K2-18, which is about 124 light years from Earth. The potential for finding signs of life on K2-18 b is very high, as analysis results show that the planet may have a similar climate to Earth. Meanwhile, in a more distant galaxy, the discovery of the exoplanet LHS 3844 b amazed many scientists. This planet has a very hot surface and is likely composed of volcanic rock. LHS 3844 b is located 48 light years from Earth. Further research into its atmospheric composition could provide valuable information about conditions on Earth-like planets outside our solar system. No less interesting, the exoplanet WASP-76b is a giant gas planet that rotates very close to its star, so that one side of the planet experiences very high temperatures, while the other side is in extreme cold conditions. This phenomenon even allows metal rain to occur on the hot side, producing unique conditions to study. The exoplanet XO-3 b also cannot be ignored. This Jupiter-type planet is famous for existing in a very eccentric orbit, making it an interesting object of research regarding its gravitational dynamics and interactions with its parent star. Further observations of XO-3 b are expected to reveal more about the effects of magnetic fields on its atmosphere. All of these discoveries reflect advances in telescope technology and increasingly rapid space exploration programs. With the help of telescopes such as the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to conduct more in-depth analyzes of the atmospheres and composition of exoplanets. This also opens the door to research into life beyond Earth, making each exoplanet discovery an important step in answering big questions about our existence in the universe.
