News Astronomy

Jupiter-sized planets are very rare around the least massive stars

Fewer than 2 percent of all lightweight red dwarfs have a planet as massive as Jupiter

An artist's creation shows a red Jupiter-like planet with a red star shining in the distance.

Jupiter-like planets orbiting red dwarf stars exist more often in art (shown) than in reality, according to a new study.

Melissa Weiss/CfA

By Ken Croswell

If you’re looking to visit a gas giant planet in another solar system — or if you’re simply a science fiction writer who needs such a world for your story — you’d better steer clear of little red stars.