eksoplaneete

Eksoplaneete, also known as exoplanets, are planets that orbit stars outside of our own solar system. The discovery of these distant worlds has revolutionized our understanding of planetary formation and the potential for life beyond Earth.

The first confirmed exoplanet was discovered in 1992, orbiting a pulsar. Since then, thousands of exoplanets have been detected using various methods, primarily the transit method and the radial velocity method. The transit method involves observing the slight dimming of a star's light as a planet passes in front of it. The radial velocity method detects the wobble of a star caused by the gravitational tug of an orbiting planet.

Exoplanets vary greatly in size, composition, and orbital characteristics. They can range from gas giants similar to Jupiter to rocky, Earth-sized planets. Some exoplanets are found in the habitable zone of their stars, a region where temperatures could allow liquid water to exist on the surface, a key ingredient for life as we know it.

The study of exoplanets is a rapidly evolving field. Upcoming missions and advanced telescopes aim to characterize exoplanet atmospheres, searching for biosignatures – indicators of biological activity. While no definitive evidence of extraterrestrial life has been found yet, the sheer number and diversity of exoplanets discovered suggest that our solar system may not be unique in hosting planets, and perhaps, life.