1. Extrasolar Planet Trends
Lisa Will (SDCC)

2. Research Focus
Do extrasolar planets follow similar trends to planets in our solar system?
This project can be completed with the Interactive Extrasolar Planets Catalog available at
Based on previous observations of our solar system, we would expect planets of varying sizes and distances from the parent star.

3. Context:
This experiment builds on the knowledge of the solar system developed in previous exercises.
The experiment would be a part of the discussion of how solar systems form:
Do other solar systems exist?
Is our solar system a model for others?

4. Method Interactive Extrasolar Planet Catalog:
Histograms
Correlation diagrams
=> Play with these functions!
Many combinations of variables (number of planets, discovery date, radius, semi-major axis, mass, etc…) are investigated to look for trends

5. Assessment
Students would be assessed on correctly interpreting the data.
Students would be expected to obtain enough data to perceive trends.

6. Data Summary:

7. Data Summary:

8. Data Summary:

9. Data Summary:

10. Data Summary:

11. Data Summary
Extrasolar planets orbit close to their parent stars (similar to our Terrestrials).
Extrasolar planets are massive (similar to our Jovians).
Extrasolar planets are recent discoveries.

12. Conclusion
Extrasolar planets do not resemble the variety of planets in our solar system.
Extrasolar planets can be more massive than Jupiter.
Extrasolar planets can orbit extremely close to the parent star.
No terrestrial planets exist in these systems.

13. Implications We may not be seeing all of the planets in these systems.
The discovery dates point to recent discoveries:
Are these planets newly born?
Are these discoveries a function of technology?

14. Educator Implications
This type of experiment has a few problems:
Experiment can be done mindlessly
Students can leave without understanding why we see so many large planets/close to parent stars.
Great potential for future discussion:
Modeling planetary formation just on our solar system does not give us all the answers!
Understanding limitations of methodology!