Discovery timeline.

Every confirmed exoplanet, from the first detection in 1992 to today.

Method

Discoveries per year

1992 2026

First confirmed

1992

Most in one year

1493 planets

Peak year

2016

By discovery method

transit

4,671

radial velocity

1,152

direct imaging

94

microlensing

278

astrometry

6

timing

25

other

5