More than 1500 planets are known to orbit other stars, many in
multiple planetary systems. While a few have been detected
directly, most of these extrasolar planets are located by effects they have on their parent stars,
either through their gravity or by slightly dimming the star as
they transit in front of it. Many of these planet-holding stars
are visible to the naked eye and several even carry ordinary names,
a growing sample of which (including a few that require binoculars)
are listed in the table below. Click on them to find labelled
constellation photos that show the locations of the stars, along
with descriptions of the stars and their planets. Technical
details, citations of original discovery papers, and a great deal
of other information can be found at the Exoplanets Data Explorer, The Extrasolar Planets
Encyclopia, which is a primary source of data for the planets
presented here, and at the Kepler site for transiting
planets.
Go find them, and stand outdoors in wonder.
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