Why are there other planets?

Question

Why are there other planets?

Answer 1

why not, the same thing that made earth made them. If you want to know how earth was made post another question and ill answer it later.

Answer 2

The same reason reeses peanut butter cups taste so good.

Answer 3

Physics, of course!

Gasses out in space tend to clump over time.  Driven by shockwaves from dying stars, and simple gravity.  Over time that gravity will pull a lot of gas together, tighter and tighter.  When enough gas clumps into a tiny central area, it gets soooo tight that the lighter elements like hydrogen and helium begin to fuse.  That is a basic nuclear reaction.

This massive outpouring of energy is the birth of a new star.  Now, all that matter starts on a chain reaction with more atoms fusing together.  The energy pouring out causes shockwaves in the remaining gaseous matter.  The shock waves push lighter elements outward while heavier elements fall inward.  Standing waves from the shock causes matter to fall together in zones.  These zones eventually pull together enough matter to form planets.

Now, this is a real simplification of the latest theories on planetary formation.  I did simplify a bit so it's not 100% accurate.  It's also not 100% certain even if I stated it correctly, but it seems to fit the facts better then any other theories.

I hope this helps you out,

Cheers!

Answer 4

Why are there other continents?  Nations?  States? Towns? People ? Atoms?

Answer 5

For aliens to live on. Duh.

Answer 6

What, you think Earth is special just because we live here?

Planets are a natural phenomenon; they form because that's how matter behaves.

Answer 7

Astronomers and cosmologists (not to be confused with "cosmetologists") aren't the philosophical bunch. I'm not a philosophical type either... more of a scientific type.

Nothing in the universe really has a purpose. Everything was created basically by chance. Well, not really by chance, because there is a purpose for *why* they form, but there is no general purpose for them.

Justifying everything with a purpose is just a total and complete waste of your time. Either you're happy, or you're not. Justifying everything with a purpose is just a superficial way of making yourself happy.

Other planets formed as a result of the formation of the stars they orbit.