The quest for extra-solar planets

The quest to discover planets beyond the solar system is in full swing. Over 170 exoplanets are now known, from three successful discovery methods: Doppler wobbles, transits, and microlensing. We have information on the abundance pattern of planets vs mass, orbit size and eccentricity, radius, density and on exoplanet atmospheres, challenging current ideas of how planetary systems form and evolve, and placing our own solar system in a broader context. With microlensing and space transits missions, we will discover hot and cool Earths. If habitable planets found to be common, and hence relatively nearby, we will know within this generation about extra-solar life.