Ekstrasolaarsed

Ekstrasolaarsed, also known as exoplanets, are planets that orbit stars outside of our own solar system. The first confirmed exoplanet discoveries were made in the early 1990s. Since then, thousands of exoplanets have been identified, using a variety of detection methods, most notably the transit method and radial velocity method.

The transit method detects the slight dimming of a star's light as a planet passes in front of it. The radial velocity method observes the wobble of a star caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet. These discoveries have revolutionized our understanding of planetary formation and the prevalence of planets in the galaxy.

Exoplanets vary greatly in size, mass, and composition. Some are gas giants similar to Jupiter, while others are rocky worlds comparable to Earth. Scientists are particularly interested in exoplanets located within their star's habitable zone, the region where conditions might be right for liquid water to exist on the planet's surface, a key ingredient for life as we know it. The search for biosignatures, indicators of biological activity, on these distant worlds is a major focus of current astronomical research. Future missions and advanced telescopes aim to further characterize exoplanet atmospheres and search for signs of life beyond Earth.