Extra-Solar Planet - Essay Example

With the rapid evolution in technology, it has become possible to observe and study extraterrestrial bodies. Extrasolar planets otherwise termed, as exo-planets are planets that occupy different solar systems besides solar systems. Kepler was the first scientist to explain the planetary system and his formulations have been used to discover these planets. He used mathematics to explain his model system and formulate laws on planetary systems. The first ever known extrasolar planet was discovered in 1995. However, other extrasolar planets amounting to approximately 750 have since then been discovered. Detecting extrasolar planets from the Earth is difficult. Unlike other stars, which are fuelled by nuclear reactions, extrasolar planets faintly emit thermal infrared radiation. Recently, eight new extrasolar planets have been discovered and it has been observed that their orbital period is longer than the duration of three years (Lissauer et al 1).

These planets were “identified through observation of periodic variations of the Doppler shift of light emitted by the stars in which they are connected” (Lissauer et al 1). Some are larger than Saturn is while others even larger than Jupiter. They go around their stars closer than the other planet that goes around the solar system. Those that defy this rule travel on a high elliptical path (Scharf, 143-9). Scientific advancement will continue in the Astronomic world. This will happen as man try to improve life by discovering other habitable places.