Exoplanet Discoveries

Exoplanet discoveries refer to the identification and observation of planets that exist outside our solar system, orbiting stars other than the Sun. These celestial bodies have been found using various methods, including the transit method, where a planet passes in front of its host star and causes a temporary dimming of the star's light, and the radial velocity method, which detects variations in a star's motion due to the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet. Exoplanets vary widely in their characteristics, size, composition, and orbital dynamics. The study of exoplanets is significant in the search for extraterrestrial life and understanding the diversity of planetary systems in the universe. The discoveries of exoplanets have greatly expanded our knowledge of astrophysics and planetary science, providing insights into the formation and evolution of planets and their potential habitability.