Exoplanets

Exoplanets, or extrasolar planets, are planets that exist outside our solar system, orbiting stars other than the Sun. They vary in size, composition, and orbital characteristics, with some being similar to Earth, while others are gas giants like Jupiter or Neptune. Exoplanets were first confirmed in the 1990s, and their discovery has greatly expanded our understanding of the universe and the potential for life beyond our own planet. Technologies such as the transit method and radial velocity technique are often employed to detect and study these distant worlds. The study of exoplanets is a growing field in astronomy, with ongoing research aimed at determining their atmospheres, potential habitability, and the conditions that lead to planet formation.