Exploring Alien Worlds: How Exoplanet Science Is Shaping the Future of Astronomy In recent decades, the search for planets beyond our solar system—known as exoplanets—has transformed from speculation into one of the most exciting frontiers of modern science. Thousands of exoplanets have been discovered, ranging from Earth-sized rocky worlds to gas giants larger than Jupiter. But the next great challenge goes far beyond simply finding these planets. Scientists now aim to uncover what lies beneath