Explain Science

Exoplanets

Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars other than the Sun. They were first discovered in 1995, and since then thousands of exoplanets have been found. One way that scientists find exoplanets is by looking for dips in a star’s brightness as a planet passes in front of it. By studying the light from these stars, scientists can learn about the atmosphere and composition of the exoplanet.