A newly studied solar system breaks the usual planet pattern, raising fresh questions about how rocky and gas planets form.

A planetary system 116 light-years from Earth has a peculiar pattern. It could flip the script on how planets form, ...

Astronomers have found a distant world that challenges planetary formation theory, with a rocky planet where gas giants should be.

Surprised astronomers said Thursday they have discovered a star with planets in a bizarre order that defies scientific expectations – and suggests these faraway worlds formed in a manner never seen ...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Planetary scientists are split, oscillating between two main theories that explain the order in ...