Alien planet. Artwork of the view from orbit around an extrasolar planet or moon orbiting very close to its parent star. Also seen is a gas giant planet (upper centre) passing in front of (transiting) the parent star. One method of detecting such planets is by the decrease in the light from the star as the planet passes in front of it. Huge solar flares, prominences and sunspots are seen on the parent star. As of 2010, hundreds of planets have been detected around other stars.