Part of the reason astronomers are looking for exoplanets, particularly exoplanets similar to earth is to determine whether there are other planets outside of earth that can sustain life. To accomplish this goal, an exoplanet must meet a few requirements. One of this requirements is for a planet to hold life similar to that on earth, it needs to sit in the habitable zone of its host star, in what astronomers refer to as the ‘goldilocks zone’. This is the area in space in which the planet needs to orbit its host star that is not too close nor too far from its star. This will allow it to have optimal temperatures, gravitational pulls and hopefully, liquid water. A planet also needs to have a solid surface and the right amount of atmospheric pressure. Astronomers know that liquid water is a key component in the survival of all life on earth and therefore, likely on other planets too meaning that liquid water is an important factor in a planet …show more content…
Some types of exoplanets include; rocky planets that are typically earth-sized or smaller. Most of these rocky planets are found in tight orbits, close to their hosts suns. These planets are likely more similar to venus than to earth because of this. The most sought out kind of exoplanets are those that earth-like, a similar size to earth and a similar distance from its host star. These planets are the most likely to be able to host extraterrestrial life however, because they are smaller and further away from their host star, they are harder to find. Super-earths are exoplanets that are much larger than earth but still found in the habitable zone of its host star. These super-earth may be good candidates for life. The most commonly found exoplanet type are hot jupiters. Hot jupiters are similar size to jupiter and are likely gaseous and very hot as they commonly orbit close to their host stars. They are easy to find due to their size and orbits as They block more light from their host stars that smaller and further away