planetes

Planetes is a term that can refer to several related concepts in science and culture. In astronomy and the history of science, planētēs is the ancient Greek word for “wanderer” and is the etymological root of the modern term planet. In some contexts, the plural form planetes appears as a historical or Latinized rendering in discussions of planetary bodies or their names.

In contemporary planetary science, planetes (or planetesimals) are the solid bodies thought to form planets in the early solar system. Ranging from kilometers to tens of kilometers in diameter, they coalesce through collisions and accretion within a protoplanetary disk around a young star, gradually building protoplanets and, later, fully formed planets.

Planetes is a Japanese science fiction manga series written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura. It was serialized in Kodansha’s Morning magazine from 1999 to 2004. The story focuses on a team of space debris collectors in the near future and their colleagues, exploring themes of space exploration, technology, and human relationships. An anime adaptation by Sunrise aired in 2003–2004, further popularizing the work.

The title is noted for its realistic depiction of spaceflight and its thoughtful treatment of social and philosophical issues, blending hard science with character-driven drama. Planetes has been influential in manga and science fiction circles for its grounded approach to space and its humane storytelling.