Planetaarset

Planetaarset is a fictional terrestrial planet commonly used in speculative astronomy and science fiction to illustrate topics in planet formation, atmospheric science, and habitability. The name appears in several Estonian-language science-fiction anthologies and in introductory education materials as a stand-in world for exoplanet studies. It is not a real celestial body recognized by major astronomical surveys.

In most depictions, Planetaarset orbits a sun-like star at a distance placing it within the star's temperate zone. Its radius is typically described as near Earth's, with a mass and density consistent with a rocky composition. Descriptions vary on atmospheric composition, but common portrayals include a modest greenhouse atmosphere with liquid water possible on parts of the surface under favorable insolation and geologic activity. Surface features often include highland regions, basaltic plains, and impact basins.

Discovery and naming: As a fictional construct, there is no real discovery record. In stories, a hypothetical space telescope or a future space agency first identifies the planet via transit signals or direct imaging, leading to further characterization using spectroscopy and orbital dynamics.

Educational and cultural role: Planetaarset is used to demonstrate key techniques in exoplanet science, including transit photometry, radial velocity, atmospheric spectroscopy, and climate modeling. It also functions as a narrative device to explore speculative habitability and planetary evolution.