Abstract
We describe an online database for extrasolar planetary-mass candidates, which is updated regularly as new data are available. We first discuss criteria for inclusion of objects in the catalog: “definition” of a planet and several aspects of the confidence level of planet candidates. We are led to point out the contradiction between the sharpness of criteria for belonging to a catalog and the fuzziness of the confidence level for an object to be a planet. We then describe the different tables of extrasolar planetary systems, including unconfirmed candidates (which will ultimately be confirmed, or not, by direct imaging). It also provides online tools: histograms of planet and host star data, cross-correlations between these parameters, and some Virtual Observatory services. Future evolutions of the database are presented.
Highlights
The study of extrasolar planetary systems has become a very active field that will grow continuously in the coming years and decades
We are led to point out the contradiction between the sharpness of criteria for belonging to a catalog and the fuzziness of the confidence level for an object to be a planet
We describe the different tables of extrasolar planetary systems, including unconfirmed candidates
Summary
The study of extrasolar planetary systems has become a very active field that will grow continuously in the coming years and decades. The Extrasolar Planets catalog, available since at http://exoplanet.eu/catalog.php (Martinache & Schneider 2004), has been upgraded in 2005 by the addition of several graphical and statistical online services (Le Sidaner et al 2007). This new version has been followed by two other professional online databases: the NStED Database at http:// nsted.ipac.caltech.edu and the Exoplanet Data Explorer at http://exoplanets.org (Wright et al 2011), the later providing some online tools. As of February 2011 these catalogs list only planets discovered by radial velocity and by transits, whereas our catalog lists planets discovered by astrometry, direct imaging, microlensing, and timing It gives a table of unconfirmed or problematic planets There is a fifth list, provided by the IAU Working Group on Extrasolar Planets at http://www.dtm.ciw.edu/boss/planets.html, but it only lists planet names and it is not maintained as of February 2011
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
