Since the discovery of the first known exoplanets in 1992, humanity’s understanding of our galaxy has been forever transformed. With over 6,140 distinct and diverse worlds confirmed in more than 4,500 star systems, the quest to comprehend these exoplanets has captivated scientists and artists alike. One of those artists is Martin Vargic, a Slovakian designer whose recent project offers a breathtaking window into the universe of exoplanets.
The sheer diversity of exoplanets discovered so far is astounding. “They can be broadly divided into gas giants similar to Jupiter or Saturn, ice giants such as Neptune, and rocky planets like Mercury, Venus and Earth, some of which might be conductive to life,” Martin explains. These categories, however, barely scratch the surface of the exotic worlds uncovered by astronomers. Hot Jupiters with clouds of molten rock, water worlds covered by deep superoceans, red-hot lava planets, and planets darker than coal are just a few examples of extraordinary diversity we yet have to explore.
Scientists use methods such as doppler spectroscopy, microlensing, and transit photometry to estimate the dimensions and mass of many exoplanets with remarkable accuracy. “Kepler Space Telescope in particular has provided the most valuable and accurate data,” Martin explains.
Martin’s project titled The Exoplanet Zoo artistically visualizes over 1,100 exoplanets we know today, utilizing scientific models and the latest data. His detailed poster arranges these exoplanets by the amount of heat they receive from their stars, comparing their relative sizes and providing an artistic representation of their possible looks. It’s so incredibly satisfying to see them lined by color, which is just one of many things I loved about this project.
The project includes planets from all equilibrium temperature classes, from cryogenic to yellow-hot. For instance, exoplanets colder than -200°C appear as blue or cyan globes with methane hazes, similar to Uranus and Neptune. Cold terrestrial planets might feature lakes and rivers of liquid hydrocarbons, similar to Saturn’s moon Titan. Conversely, the hottest gas giants show cloud layers of silicates, molten glass, or even corundum and iron, with rubies and sapphires potentially raining on these worlds.
While it isn’t a photographic project, it relies on photographs and data collected from Kepler and other tools. Martin meticulously illustrated each exoplanet, working on planetary textures and rendering the planets one by one over six to seven months.
Looking ahead, Martin aims to create a super-sized infographic showcasing every known exoplanet, promising to explore further the remarkable diversity of worlds within our galaxy and beyond. You can find more of Martin’s incredible work on his website, explore The Exoplanet Zoo in great detail, and get posters and other fun stuff here.
