So far, astronomers have found about 70 solar systems and are discovering new ones every year. Given how many they have found in this neighborhood of the Milky Way galaxy, scientists estimate that there may be many billions of solar systems in our galaxy. Whether this estimate is correct, and how similar other solar systems are to ours, remain to be seen. It has only been a few years since the first solar system apart from ours was detected, so this whole subject is still in its infancy. By the time our friends who asked the questions are adults, we will know a great deal more. Perhaps someday you will help find the answers. And even if you don't, you may grow up in a time when humankind has a much clearer idea of how we and our home planet fit into the cosmos.
Thanks again for calling Dr. Marc at The Space Place.
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