An exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star outside of our own Solar System. The first confirmed exoplanet was discovered in 1995 and since then, thousands have been found. Exoplanets are extremely common, with scientists estimating that there could be billions of them in our galaxy alone.Exoplanets come in all shapes and sizes, from gas giants to rocky planets similar to Earth. They can be located very close to their star or further away, and may orbit in different directions than the star’s rotation. Many of the exoplanets we’ve discovered have strange features, such as having an atmosphere made up of hydrogen and helium or having an orbit that is far from circular.The study of exoplanets has revolutionized astronomy over the last couple decades. We now know more about planets outside our Solar System than ever before, allowing us to make new theories about how planets form and evolve over time. We can also use this knowledge to search for signs of life on other worlds by looking for certain chemical signatures in their atmospheres or measuring their temperatures. With each new discovery we get closer to answering some of the biggest questions we have about the Universe.
We've found 5 Exoplanets quizzes
