The Solar System presents a familiar array of planets, from rocky worlds close to the Sun to gas giants further out. However, recent research suggests that the most common type of planet in the Milky Way may not fit this familiar mold.
These newly identified exoplanets are typically larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, and they are often surrounded by atmospheres that scientists are still striving to understand.
This discovery challenges long-held assumptions about planetary formation and diversity, indicating that our solar system may not represent the full spectrum of planetary types that exist in the universe.