Author: Emma Follis
Data source: NASA Exoplanet Archive
Tools: Python, SQL (SQLite), pandas, matplotlib, seaborn
Last updated: June 2026
This project explores the NASA Exoplanet Archive's confirmed planets table using Python and SQL. Starting from a raw CSV of 6,298 confirmed exoplanets across 84 measured variables, the analysis builds a SQLite database, runs structured queries, and produces professional visualizations that tell the story of exoplanet science - from the first two planets discovered in 1992 to the JWST era of atmospheric characterization beginning today.
The analysis covers four key questions in exoplanet demographics:
- How were these planets found?
- How has the discovery rate changed over time?
- What sizes of planets have we confirmed?
- Which confirmed planets are potentially habitable and reachable by JWST?
Discovery methods: Transit dominates at 73.9% of all confirmed planets, reflecting the impact of NASA's Kepler and TESS missions. Radial Velocity accounts for 18.8%, with nine additional methods making up the remainder.
Discovery timeline: The field grew slowly from 1992 to 2009, then accelerated dramatically with Kepler's launch. Two bulk confirmation events in 2014 (869 planets) and 2016 (1,504 planets) transformed the confirmed planet catalog overnight.
Size distribution: Sub-Neptunes (2–4 Earth radii) are the most common confirmed planet type at 33.2%, followed by Jupiter-sized planets at 28.8%. Earth-sized planets account for only 9.2% of confirmed planets - a detection bias, not a reflection of their true abundance in the galaxy.
Habitable zone candidates: 58 confirmed planets meet conservative habitable zone and rocky planet criteria. Of these, 27 are within 15 parsecs of Earth and accessible to JWST atmospheric characterization. The nearest (Proxima Centauri b) is just 1.3 parsecs (4.2 light years) away.
NASA_Exoplanet_Explorer/
├── NASA_Exoplanet_Explorer.ipynb # Full analysis notebook
├── discovery_methods.png # Query 1 visualization
├── discovery_timeline.png # Query 2 visualization
├── size_distribution.png # Query 3 visualization
├── habitable_zone_candidates.png # Query 4 visualization
└── README.md # This file
Option 1 — Google Colab (recommended):
Click the Open in Colab badge above. Download the confirmed planets table from the
NASA Exoplanet Archive
and upload it when prompted.
Option 2 — Local:
pip install pandas matplotlib seaborn
jupyter notebook NASA_Exoplanet_Explorer.ipynbDownload the data CSV from the NASA Exoplanet Archive link above.
- Dataset: NASA Exoplanet Archive Planetary Systems Composite Parameters table
- Retrieved: June 2026
- 6,298 confirmed planets, 84 measured variables
- Data completeness varies by column - see notebook for full quality assessment
- Detection bias significantly affects size and type distributions
Built as part of a scientific data analysis portfolio by Emma Follis, a data analyst with a background in Earth and Planetary Science. Currently completing an M.S. in Space Studies at American Public University while contributing to NASA's Exoplanet Watch citizen science program.