The Milky Way likely hosts over 100 billion planets
In short: While our solar system feels vast, it is just one of many. This video explores the staggering scale of planetary systems across our galaxy, revealing how common planets actually are.
Data from a six-year search by the PLANET collaboration suggests that planets are the rule rather than the exception. Research suggests that since most stars host multiple planets, at least 1,500 should exist within a 50 light-year radius of our world.
Research published in the journal Nature in 2012 highlights that Earth-sized terrestrial planets are far more common than gas giants like Jupiter. Based on a planetary mass function, scientists estimate there are more than 10 billion terrestrial planets alone across the Milky Way.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How Many Planets Are In The Milky Way? | Astronomic
- Also: The Milky Way's 100 Billion Planets - NASA
- Also: NASA Science (NASA Hubble Mission Team, Goddard Space Flight Center): The Milky Way Contains at Least 100 Billion Planets According to Survey - NASA Science
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/space-how-many-planets-are-in-the-milky-way-astronomic.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Astronomy · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics
