The nearest exoplanets to Earth

These are the 50 confirmed exoplanets closest to the Sun, orbiting 24 different stars, all within about 19 ly. A light year is the distance light covers in a year, about 9.5 trillion kilometres — so even Proxima Cen b, the nearest, sits at 4 ly: the light we see from it left years ago, and our fastest spacecraft would need thousands of years to get there.

44 of these 50 planets orbit red dwarfs (M-type stars). Red dwarfs are small, cool and dim, which makes them the most common stars in our neighbourhood and makes their planets easier to find: a small planet tugs a small star around more visibly, and blocks a bigger share of its light. Of these 50, TerraForge’s simulation makes 22 rocky terrestrials, 8 gas giants, 8 ice worlds, 6 ice giants, 4 barrens and 2 water-richs.

Red dwarfs bring their own problems for life — planets close enough to be warm are usually tidally locked, with one side in permanent daylight, and the young stars flare violently. The habitable zone article explains why a planet in the right place can still be a poor home. Open any planet below to see it built in 3D, with its real orbit.