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Astronomy

Extrasolar planets

Hundreds of planets are known to orbit stars other than the Sun, and unprecedented observations of their atmospheres and structures are being made. It's an invaluable opening for understanding the planets' diverse natures, the formation of our Solar System, and the possibility of habitable planets beyond our home.

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Figure 1: The gamut of transiting exoplanets.
Figure 2: Journey to the centre of a super-Earth.
Figure 3: A world of worlds.

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Sasselov, D. Extrasolar planets. Nature 451, 29–31 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/451029a

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