The Exoplaneteers!
Four brave explorers — the Captain, the Brain, the Scout, and the Friend — find themselves flung across the galaxy to different exoplanets. Separated by space, the Exoplaneteers search the cosmos for signs of life (new friends!), while they also navigate the dangers of these strange worlds.
Meet the team
The Captain
The Exoplaneteers' fearless leader, the Captain never backs down from a good adventure — no matter how dangerous.
The Brain
The quietest of the group, the Brain is quick-thinking, resourceful, and creative. Always learning something new, and always using those smarts to save the group from cosmic disaster.
The Scout
A ball of energy, yet so much more than just a chaotic exterior. Zany — of course — but with a remarkable zest for life envied by anyone meeting the Scout.
The Friend
Best described as a mix between a golden retriever and a teddy bear, the Friend is full of love, excitement, and perpetual awe.
And away they go...
-
Deadly flares? A vortex of trash? Follow me in!
The Captain is exploring AU Microscopii b, a Neptune-like gaseous exoplanet about 32 light-years from Earth. This exoplanet orbits a chaotic young star that shoots out flares of deadly X-rays and other radiation. Within this turbulent system, AU Microscopii b is tough to spot as the planetary system is shrouded by a large disk of swirling debris.
The Captain -
Ocean views, established neighborhood
The Brain is exploring TRAPPIST-1 e, an Earth-sized, terrestrial exoplanet more than 39 light-years from Earth. This rocky planet orbits in the habitable zone of its dim, red star and scientists think there is likely liquid water on its surface. This exoplanet, which has six planet neighbors, is a ready target for future exploration.
The Brain -
The coolest cloudspotting ever
The Scout is exploring 51 Eridani b, a gas giant about 96 light-years away from Earth. This exoplanet has a methane-rich atmosphere, but, perhaps, also clouds of white ice. It’s far from its star and very cold at the top of its clouds — but very hot in the gaseous methane below.
The Scout -
The floor is lava! ...But the sky is *sparkly*
The Friend is exploring 55 Cancri e, a lava world about 41 light-years away from Earth. This exoplanet is so close to its star that scientists believe it’s covered in flowing lava seas. But while the lava across its surface might be daunting, silicates in the planet's atmosphere reflect that lava below, making the sky sparkle.
The Friend
-
Quiz: What type of Exo-Explorer are you?
Answer a few questions to find out, and determine the perfect exoplanet for you!
The Brain — TRAPPIST-1 e
The Brain is exploring TRAPPIST-1 e, an Earth-sized, terrestrial exoplanet more than 39 light-years from Earth. This rocky planet orbits in the habitable zone of its dim, red star and scientists think there is likely liquid water on its surface. This exoplanet, which has six planet neighbors, is a ready target for future exploration.
The Scout — 51 Eridani b
The Scout is exploring 51 Eridani b, a gas giant about 96 light-years away from Earth. This exoplanet has a methane-rich atmosphere, but, perhaps, also clouds of white ice. It’s far from its star and very cold at the top of its clouds — but very hot in the gaseous methane below.
The Friend — 55 Cancri e
The Friend is exploring 55 Cancri e, a lava world about 41 light-years away from Earth. This exoplanet is so close to its star that scientists believe it’s covered in flowing lava seas. But while the lava across its surface might be daunting, silicates in the planet's atmosphere reflect that lava below, making the sky sparkle.
