A planet that orbits a star other than our Sun, also called an extrasolar planet. These worlds come in a stunning variety of sizes, compositions, and orbital characteristics that challenge our understanding of planetary formation.
From Greek 'exo' meaning 'outside' combined with 'planet,' first used in the 1990s as discoveries of these worlds began. The term gained widespread use after the first confirmed exoplanet around a main-sequence star was found in 1995.
We've discovered exoplanets made of diamond, worlds where it rains molten glass sideways, and planets orbiting so close to their stars that their years last just 16 hours! There are likely more planets than stars in our galaxy - we're living in a universe packed with worlds.
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