How do astronomers find planets around other stars?
As of September 2026, 4,708 of the 6,366 confirmed exoplanets, about 74%, were found by the transit method: a telescope sees a star dim slightly as a planet passes in front of it. Radial velocity, which spots a star's slight wobble as a planet tugs on it, found 1,200. Only 97 have been photographed directly (imaging).
The interactive chart needs JavaScript. The numbers are in the table below.
The value axis starts at zero. Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to read exact values.
Source and date
- Data as of
- Published
The data
| Discovery method | Confirmed exoplanets |
|---|---|
| Transit | 4,708 |
| Radial Velocity | 1,200 |
| Microlensing | 289 |
| Imaging | 97 |
| Transit Timing Variations | 29 |
| Eclipse Timing Variations | 17 |
| Orbital Brightness Modulation | 9 |
| Pulsar Timing | 8 |
| Astrometry | 6 |
| Pulsation Timing Variations | 2 |
| Disk Kinematics | 1 |