Exoplanets, or extrasolar planets, are planets that exist outside our solar system, orbiting stars other than the Sun. They come in various sizes and compositions, ranging from gas giants like Jupiter to rocky planets similar to Earth. The discovery of exoplanets has expanded our understanding of the universe and the potential for life beyond our planet.
The first confirmed detection of an exoplanet occurred in 1992, and since then, thousands have been discovered using methods such as the transit method and radial velocity. These discoveries raise intriguing questions about the formation of planetary systems and the possibility of finding habitable worlds in the cosmos.