Extrasolar IV

Extrasolar Planets

Collection I | Collection II | Collection III | Collection IV
Most of these works are executed in watercolor, acrylic, graphite, pastels, gouache,
ink, and often combinations thereof to achieve the finished image.
A few are digital, or composites of digital and traditional elements.
Full size images are accessible through title or thumbnail.

	Binary Red Dwarf Star System A planet existing in the habitable zone of a binary red dwarf star system could look similar to this one. The planet is tidally locked with the eclipsing red dwarf stars. Cloud patterns originate at the substellar point, radiating outward toward the dark side of the planet. Flares from the stars are reflected in the water of the lit side. The polar cap on the dark side is illuminated by the white dwarf in the distance. An asteroid passing by is shown in the foreground. Red dwarf stars are common in the universe and a planet could exist orbiting one or more of them. One such possibility is CM Draconis, which is currently being observed by Dr. Laurance Doyle and his team of The TEP Network.

Carbon Planet
Astronomers suspect that some extrasolar planets may be made largely of carbon compounds, including diamond. This is unlike Earth, Mars, and Venus, which are composed mainly of silicon-oxygen compounds. A world like this might have a thin, smoggy atmosphere and a surface resembling tar. Here a large impact crater exposes the diamond layer.
M Star Planet I		Terrestrial planets looking like this one may exist around M stars. This world is locked in rotation with its star and is located at just the right distance from the M star to create different zones around the substellar point like the rings on a target. The zones closest to the star are too hot and dry for life and the zones near the terminator are too cold, leaving an area in-between where temperatures are just right.
Information on Image Use

Contact the artist for additional extrasolar planet images not shown here.

Extrasolar Planets Collection I

Extrasolar Planets Collection II

Extrasolar Planets Collection III

Imperial Earth

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