What are Exoplanets?
Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside of our own solar system. The term "exoplanet" was coined in the 1990s, and since then, thousands of exoplanets have been discovered orbiting stars in our Milky Way galaxy and beyond. Exoplanets can be similar in size, composition, and temperature to planets in our own solar system, or they can be quite different, with unique characteristics that set them apart. Some exoplanets are small and rocky, while others are large and gaseous. Some orbit close to their stars, while others are far away.
Types of Exoplanets
Exoplanets come in various forms, including Earth-like planets, Super-Earths, Mini-Neptunes, Hot Jupiters, Gas Giants, Rocky planets, Ice giants, and Hybrid planets. Additionally, they can be classified as Hot exoplanets, Warm exoplanets, and Cold exoplanets based on temperature. Other types include Rogue planets, Tidally locked planets, Circumbinary planets, Exoplanet moons, Desert planets, Ocean planets, Chthonian planets, and Diamond planets.
Exoplanet Detection Methods
Exoplanets are detected using various methods, including Direct Imaging, Spectroscopy, Transit Method, Radial Velocity Method, Astrometry, Gravitational Lensing, and Microlensing. Additionally, Timing Variations, Orbital Sampling Effect (OSE), and Transit Timing Variations (TTV) are used to detect exoplanets. Future detection methods include advanced spectroscopy techniques, machine learning algorithms, and next-generation telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope and Giant Magellan Telescope, as well as space missions such as PLATO, TESS, and Kepler.