As shocking as it sounds today, prior to the 1990s, scientists couldn't be certain that stars beyond the sun also had planets orbiting them. Since the discovery of the first extra-solar planet, or "exoplanet," around 30 years ago, over 6,000 of these distant worlds have been revealed, with thousands more detected but not yet confirmed.
The burgeoning exoplanet catalog has delivered a multitude of planets that really emphasize the "alien" in "alien worlds." With planets so hot they rain iron, planets with savage, glass-filled winds and planets so mishappen by their stars they roll around in their orbits like eggs, it is little wonder that exoplanets have captivated people beyond the hallowed halls of scientific academia, inspiring incredible and breathtaking works of art. One artist captivated by exoplanets is Martin Vargic, a Slovak artist and the author of the "Curious Cosmical Compendium."
