a large, round object in space that travels around a star and shines by reflecting that star’s light
Scientists discovered a new planet orbiting a distant star.
Through a telescope, the children saw the rings of the planet Saturn.
✦ From Old French planete, from Latin planēta, from Ancient Greek planḗtēs “wanderer”, because planets appear to wander among the fixed stars.
a planet that orbits a star outside our solar system.
Astronomers discovered a rocky exoplanet near a red dwarf star.
This exoplanet might have oceans and could support life.
✦ Coined in the 1990s from 'exo-' (from Greek ἔξω 'outside') + 'planet', as the first planets orbiting other stars were detected.
A planet that orbits a star outside the solar system.
Astronomers use powerful telescopes to discover distant exoplanets.
Some exoplanets are rocky worlds similar to Earth.
✦ Formed in the late 20th century from 'exo-' (from Greek ἔξω 'outside') + 'planet'.
