Angela Noble - NASA Exoplanet Archive

Nasa Exoplanet Archive – Data Visualization

p5.js/JavaScript

Created in 2023

This data visualization is an interactive application created using the javascript framework p5.js. This visualization displays NASA's archive of every planet that has been documented outside of our solar system and allows users to interact with the data.

App Features:

Filter by discovery year
Filter by discovery method
Search by exoplanet name
Easily interpret distance from earth
Hover over exoplanet to display details
Explore around the visualization using keyboard arrows
Resizeable

What is an Exoplanet?

An exoplanet, or extrasolar planet, is a planet orbiting a star outside of our Solar System. Exoplanets come in a wide variety of sizes, from gas giants larger than Jupiter to small, rocky planets about as big as Earth or Mars. They can be hot enough to boil metal or locked in deep freeze.

Data Set

The Planetary Systems Composite Parameters Planet Data table (PSCompPars) is a compilation of system, stellar, and planetary parameters for known Confirmed Exoplanets. The purpose of this table is to enable a more statistical view of the known exoplanet population and their host environments.

Filter by Discovery Year

This visualization includes 2 range sliders, the top range slider controls the minimum year of discover, and the bottom slider controls the maximum year of discover. When using these filters the visualization will only display exoplanets that were discovered within the selected years.

Filter by Discovery Method

There are three main methods used for discovering exoplanets: Radial Velocity, Transit, & Imaging. Each discovery method has a colour associated with it to view in the visualization, there is also buttons in the top left corner to toggle the exoplanets found using that method on or off.

Search by Exoplanet Name

Each exoplanet has a name assigned that distinguishes its solar system. There is a search bar in the top right corner that allows users to input the name of any exoplanet within the dataset. The exoplanet will then be highlighted for users to view.

Explore the Visualization

Using the arrows on your keyboard you can navigate around the application to view exoplanets that are far away from earth. To reset the view press the space bar.