Space, the great void / the great unknown. James Webb telescope has revealed many cosmic mysteries we couldn't see before, yet exoplanets remain a great enigma for humankind.
That's why 2HBN dove deep into this topic, we asked ourselves what we could do, researched, and found it: Exoplanet Travel Bureau. This interactive platform by NASA lets you explore exoplanets not through science fiction films, but through real scientific data.
Just think about it, there are planets that have been out there for billions of years, perhaps even harboring life, and we've only just begun to discover them in the last few decades.
If telescope technology hadn't advanced this rapidly, we wouldn't even be aware of these planets' existence. But here we are, and we can explore these planets not just through scientific papers, but through interactive tours as well.
What Is This Exoplanet Travel Bureau?
NASA's service presented to the public introduces us to the most famous exoplanets, and the presentations are quite delightful. Accompanied by audio and musical tours, we absorb information about each planet at a comfortable, digestible pace.
The tours are only available in English and Spanish, unfortunately. But the language level isn't too heavy; even with a basic understanding, you can listen and follow along without any trouble.
So what exactly does this platform offer? Designed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory team, this digital platform provides an experience grounded in real scientific data while remaining highly entertaining and accessible.
When you first enter the platform, you're greeted by visuals reminiscent of retro travel posters from the 1930s and 50s.
This aesthetic choice is no coincidence; it symbolizes that humanity can't yet travel to those planets, but can imagine doing so. A kind of nostalgic vision of the future. Finding another platform among science content that offers such a visual feast is truly rare.
Kepler-16b: Real-Life Tatooine
We took our first tour with a connecting flight via Neptune, arriving at planet Kepler-16b. Since Kepler-16b has a composition that is half gas and half rock, we were able to tour the planet's moon.
What's more, Kepler-16b is a planet orbiting a Binary Star system, which means that if you landed on it, you'd cast two shadows.
After completing the audio tour, you can also take a virtual stroll across the planet's surface. Located approximately 200 light-years from Earth, this planet is the spitting image of a Star Wars universe.
Do you remember that iconic scene where Luke Skywalker watches two suns set? Well, Kepler-16b brings that scene to life with real data.
Experiencing that romance from Earth isn't possible, but envisioning it in your mind through the Exoplanet Travel Bureau's audio tour is absolutely doable.
Other Exoplanets on the Platform
Beyond Kepler-16b, other fascinating planets await you on the platform. HD 40307g falls into the Super Earth category, with gravity eight times that of Earth. Standing there for even a minute would be more exhausting than a full workout session.
Then there's TRAPPIST-1e, located in the habitable zone and one of the candidates that excites scientists the most.
Who knows, perhaps as we gaze toward it right now, someone there is gazing back at us. If you're curious about exoplanet research, you can also check out our space articles.
Posters and Coloring Activities
NASA has created stunning posters for these exoplanets. You can download them and have them printed at your nearest print shop. (I know people who've done it. In fact, this article was written thanks to them.)
Not a fan of the original poster? The services don't stop there, you can also download a colorless version of the poster and color it yourself. How amazing is that?! This coloring activity is actually a tremendous educational opportunity, especially for children.
If you tell a child "there's a binary star system in space," they won't get it, but if you hand them the Kepler-16b coloring page, that knowledge gets etched into their mind.
NASA hasn't just built a scientific platform here; they've opened a door to curiosity. In this regard, Exoplanet Travel Bureau is one of the rare platforms that appeals to every age.
Telescope Posters: James Webb, Hubble, Kepler
The bonuses don't stop there, posters have also been created for the telescopes that made it possible for us to see these exoplanets. You can download those too and hang them wherever you like.
Among the telescope posters, you'll of course find the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble, and Kepler telescope posters. A special note deserves to be made about the Kepler telescope in particular: it was retired in 2018 with the reason "fuel depleted," but it left behind more than 2,600 confirmed exoplanets.
Its name has been permanently etched into most of those planets as well. Hanging the Kepler poster in your room could be seen as a small tribute to this legend.
End of the Travel Guide: Return to Neptune
We've seen many planets, we've gotten to know many planets. But now it's time to head back to Neptune. While you explore exoplanets, we'll return to our blue giant and give our rocket some maintenance. It's been a tiring day. We've covered quite a distance.
Truly, you could wander around this platform for hours. We tried it ourselves, before we knew it, hours had passed. That's also the most beautiful thing about Exoplanet Travel Bureau: it neither drowns you in tedious technical jargon, nor does it oversimplify the information into meaninglessness. It hits the sweet spot, making you feel like a curious traveler.
If you're passionate about space-related content and enjoy this kind of interactive experience, Exoplanet Travel Bureau is tailor-made for you. It's free, accessible from your computer, and appeals to all ages.
Science didn't have to be this fun, but NASA chose to make it so. And it was the right choice.
You can find all the information you need to get there through the link below:
Click here to visit the NASA Exoplanet Travel Bureau.
2HBN BONUS: Another exoplanet comes from the Star Wars universe — the Death Star. What would the costs be if the Death Star were real? If you want to find out, you can learn all about it over at Infographic: Death Star Bills.
We know no limits when it comes to service.
