Now to just one of those galaxies - our Milky Way galaxy is home to an immense number of stars and planets.
The Milky Way galaxy is estimated to contain between 100 billion and 400 billion stars. This wide range is due to the difficulties in accurately counting all the stars, particularly those that are faint or obscured by interstellar dust.
The number of planets in the Milky Way is even more difficult to estimate accurately, but current research suggests there are likely at least as many planets as stars, if not more.
Based on data from missions such as NASA's Kepler Space Telescope, it is estimated that nearly every star in the Milky Way has at least one planet. Some estimates suggest there could be over 1 trillion planets in our galaxy.
Specifically, estimates for Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of stars (where liquid water could exist) vary, but one study suggested there could be as many as 40 billion Earth-sized planets in the habitable zones around Sun-like stars and red dwarfs in the Milky Way.
These numbers are based on statistical models and observations of a small fraction of the Milky Way's stars and extrapolating those findings to the entire galaxy. Advances in telescope technology and methods of detecting exoplanets are continually refining these estimates.
Current Understanding
Our Solar System: Now has eight recognised planets with Pluto now recognised as a dwarf planet
Milky Way Galaxy: Contains billions of stars, with most stars likely hosting their own planetary systems. Estimates suggest there are potentially hundreds of billions to over a trillion planets in the Milky Way galaxy.
We won't even attempt to estimate the number of universes!
In my view, it is inconceivable to think that Earth is the only planet inhabited by lifeforms.
Extraterrestrial and intraterrestrial beings have likely been visiting and living on and inside Earth since the beginning of time. Governments worldwide have misled their citizens by dismissing these ideas as mere fantasy, all while secretly collaborating with various species, particularly in the field of advanced technologies.
My research suggests that definitive proof of their existence might well be revealed this year. To this end, I can't help but wonder how the global citizenry and militaries will respond.
- Cedar
Thanks to AI for assistance with statistics