12-25-2025, 05:31 AM
I'm an amateur astronomer and science writer, and I'm drafting an article about the most significant exoplanet discoveries of the last five years for a general audience. I want to move beyond just listing "Earth-like" planets and focus on findings that have genuinely advanced our understanding of planetary formation, atmospheres, or system architectures. For fellow enthusiasts and professionals, what are the standout discoveries or missions you believe have been most transformative? I'm particularly interested in planets that challenge previous models, like ultra-hot Jupiters or those in resonant chains, and the observational techniques—whether from TESS, JWST, or ground-based spectroscopy—that made these insights possible. What's the next big question in exoplanet science?