The world has been captivated by the presence of planets. Primordial observers had observed that some of the points of light traversed the sky in varying ways compared to the stars. Such roaming lights were later identified as planets. Nowadays, we understand that planets are not isolated unique objects of our solar system. They are rich in the universe and they are in millions of structures around the stars. Learning about the formation process of planets and how scientists are looking to find potentially habitable worlds gives an answer to one of the most significant questions that humanity has: are we alone?

The formation of the planets commences within the same environments that the stars are formed. Disks of gas and dust, which rotate around the young stars, are created. These disks have minute particles that bounce off each other. These particles develop in size with time. They collide with each other repeatedly and through the influence of gravity, they create planetesimals which are kilometer-size masses. These planetesimals keep on merging and forming full size planets.

Types of planets are created based on their location in the disk. Near the star, there are high temperatures. It is only rocky materials that can be left at solid state. This results in the formation of earth like and Mars like terrestrial planets. Temperatures are lower far away on the star. Giant planets can have thick atmospheres and huge cores due to the formation of ices and gases.

There are intricate interactions which form planetary systems. The young planets may move either inwards or outwards. Some are ejected entirely. Others collide and merge. The high level of variety of planetary systems is created by this dynamic process.

Planets bigger than Jupiter, smaller than Earth and all between have been discovered by astronomers. Others revolve around their stars at a very short distance making their orbit to take only a few days. Others revolve very far and it takes centuries to complete one revolution. Certain systems are made up of several planets that are engaged in complex gravitational ballets.

Of this variety, scientists are especially interested in life-supporting planets. One of the ideas in this search is the habitable zone. This is the area that surrounds a star in which the temperatures might be conducive to the existence of liquid water on the surface of a planet. Water is believed to be a key to existence as we know it since it is a solvent to chemical reactions.

Being in the habitable zone is however not sufficient. It also depends on the atmosphere, size, composition and magnetic field of a planet. A planet which is too small can become deprived of the atmosphere. There is the possibility of excessive heat being trapped by a thick atmosphere that causes extreme greenhouse conditions.

Astronomers are able to study planets that are distant by indirectly detecting them. A typical method is that which can count little dips of the brightness of a star when a planet passes in front of it. Imagine changing your life overnight win a million dollars Enter now!One chance can make you the next big winner.A different procedure identifies minor Corrywinks to the movement of a star due to the gravitational tug-of-war with a planet in an orbit. These methods enable the scientist to determine the size, mass and orbit of a planet.

The planets are not just objects that orbit around stars. They could be some of the next laboratories to explain chemistry, physics, and conditions essential to support life.The universe is full of worlds that we are still just starting to learn about them.Each discovery is a single piece of an already much bigger puzzle.The reason is not that we should find easy answers, but we are curious as human nature.