NASA's TESS Mission Uncovers 10,091 Potential New Exoplanets, Doubling Known Candidates

Astronomers have long sought to expand our understanding of the universe beyond our solar system. A groundbreaking new study from the T16 project has dramatically accelerated this effort by identifying 10,091 potential new exoplanets, nearly doubling the number of known candidates.

This discovery, published in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement, stems from data collected by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which has been monitoring over 200,000 nearby stars since its launch in 2018. The TESS mission uses the transit method—detecting the subtle dimming of a star’s light as a planet passes in front of it—to identify potential exoplanets.

To confirm a planet, astronomers typically require at least three observed transits to rule out false positives such as asteroids or comets. The T16 project analyzed light curves from over 54 million stars observed during TESS’s first year, applying an advanced detection technique that allowed it to search for planets around stars up to 16 times fainter than TESS’s standard targets. This expanded the discovery range significantly.

The team identified 11,554 planet candidates in total. Of these, 1,052 had been previously detected, and 411 showed only a single transit, leaving 10,091 potential new exoplanets.

This number surpasses the total exoplanets discovered during the entirety of NASA’s Kepler mission and its follow-on K2, as well as more than doubling the existing TESS planet candidates awaiting confirmation.

Key Findings and Characteristics

All of the newly discovered planet candidates orbit their host stars with orbital periods between 12 hours and 27 days. While most of the stars observed by TESS are smaller and cooler than the Sun, the close proximity of these planets likely makes them too hot to support life as we know it.

The T16 project team confirmed the planetary status of one candidate, TIC 183374187, using a different method: measuring the gravitational tug a planet exerts on its host star. This planet is described as hot and slightly larger than Jupiter.

The remaining 10,090 candidates require further verification to confirm whether they are indeed planets. However, the team’s rigorous analysis—including the requirement of at least three transits—suggests that most are likely genuine discoveries.

Expert Perspective on the Discovery

“Astronomers are a bit conservative when it comes to claims like this, and want to be sure they pass a bunch of tests to make sure everything was done correctly and these planets actually exist.”

— Phil Plait, astronomer and author of the Bad Astronomy Newsletter

Plait added that the process used by the T16 team appears legitimate, reinforcing the credibility of these findings.

What’s Next for Exoplanet Research?

The discoveries from the T16 project represent a major leap in exoplanet science, offering a wealth of new data for astronomers to study. While these planets are unlikely to be habitable due to their extreme temperatures, they provide critical insights into the diversity and formation of planetary systems beyond our own.

Further observations and confirmations will be necessary to validate these candidates, but the potential for new discoveries remains vast. The findings underscore the power of advanced telescopes like TESS and the importance of innovative analysis techniques in unlocking the mysteries of the cosmos.

Learn More:

• Read the full paper: Roth et al. 2026
• More context from The Bad Astronomer