VIDEO
HIGHLIGHT
Log InSign up
Take a Virtual Reality tour of six REAL exoplanets (4K, 360° VR experience) | We The Curious
SummaryTranscriptChat

Take a Virtual Reality tour of six REAL exoplanets (4K, 360° VR experience) | We The Curious

Exploring Exoplanets: A Journey Beyond Our Solar System

Introduction to Exoplanets

  • The video begins with an invitation to explore the Milky Way galaxy, highlighting the vast number of stars and potential exoplanets.
  • Viewers are encouraged to use VR headsets for an immersive experience as they learn about six real exoplanets based on scientific research.

Planet Formation Process

  • Elizabeth explains that planets form from debris discs left over after star formation, which takes millions of years.
  • Dust particles collide and can stick together, forming larger bodies called planetesimals, which eventually grow into full-sized planets through gravitational attraction.

Hot Jupiters: Extreme Gas Giants

  • Professor David Shang describes hot Jupiters as gas giants orbiting very close to their stars, leading to extreme temperatures and atmospheric evaporation.
  • These planets are expected to be tidally locked, resulting in significant temperature contrasts between day and night sides.

Atmospheric Conditions on Osiris (HD 209458b)

  • Stefan discusses the extreme weather conditions on Osiris, characterized by winds reaching speeds of 5 km/s and temperatures around 1000°C.
  • The atmosphere may contain molten iron rain and glass due to high evaporation rates at these temperatures.

Super Earths: Water Worlds

  • Nathan Mayne introduces super Earths, larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, often featuring rocky cores surrounded by vast oceans.
  • These planets likely have thick atmospheres that suppress land features due to strong gravity and oceanic waves influenced by potential moons.

Surface Conditions on 55 Cancri e

  • This planet orbits extremely close to its star with surface temperatures reaching thousands of degrees Kelvin.
  • It has a molten lava surface with a soot-laden atmosphere filled with charged materials leading to thunderstorms akin to Dante's Inferno.

The Trappist-1 System

  • Jessica Spake highlights the Trappist-1 system containing seven Earth-sized planets closely spaced around a small star resembling a miniature solar system.

Conclusion: The Search for More Worlds

  • Over 3,000 exoplanets have been discovered so far; however, only a tiny fraction of our galaxy has been explored.
  • Each new discovery reshapes our understanding of the universe while emphasizing Earth's uniqueness among known worlds.
Video description

What would it be like to stand on the surface of another planet? We teamed up with astrophysicists to create a scientifically accurate, VR tour of 6 exoplanets. Find out more about our search for exoplanets at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnke9dWofR8 Strap on a VR headset, surf the giant waves of Kepler-62e, and gaze across the lava fields of 55 Cancri e. Narrated & produced by: Ross Exton Special thanks to: Dr Nathan Mayne, Professor David Sing, Dr Tom Evans, Elisabeth Matthews, Dr Sasha Hinkley, Jessica Spake, Dr Stefan Lines, Professor Stefan Kraus, Lee Pullen, Anna Henley, Ollie Brown, Bridget Sealey, Josie Forsyth. The University of Exeter Astrophysics Research Group Animation: Engine house VFX Funded by: The University of Exeter If you wish to enquire about using parts/all of this film then please contact business@exeter.ac.uk & astroenquiries@exeter.ac.uk at the University of Exeter. -------- We The Curious is a science centre and educational charity on Bristol Harbourside. It’s an interactive space where everyone can get creative with science, ask questions and explore ideas together. As a charity we work with partners, locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive and collaborate. We bring people together to develop new skills, improve their confidence and wellbeing and explore what is possible with positive action. Find out more at https://www.wethecurious.org