Extrasolar planets are common in the Milky Way

A team of astronomers including researchers from the international PLANET project and the University of Warsaw Observatory based Polish OGLE survey led by prof. Andrzej Udalski has announced results of statistical studies on, how common extrasolar planets are in the Milky Way.

Using the gravitational microlensing technique and observational data collected by PLANET and OGLE telescopes on more than 400 microlensing events discovered by OGLE at Las Campanas Observatory, Chile during six Lear survey, astronomers found that extrasolar planets orbiting stars are the rule. On average one star hosts more than one planet. The number of exoplanets in the Milky Way can reach 160 billions. Results of his study appeared in the January 12, 2012 issue of the journal Nature.

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