What is the precise definition of an exoplanet according to the text?
Answer
A planet that exists outside of our Solar System.
An exoplanet is defined simply as any planet situated beyond the confines of our own Solar System. The confirmation of thousands of these worlds highlights that planetary formation is a widespread phenomenon throughout the galaxy, moving beyond prior astronomical suspicion. This broad definition encompasses the diverse population discovered so far, ranging from the closest neighbors to candidates much farther away, and necessitates the rethinking of planetary formation models that were solely based on the architecture of the Sun's immediate neighborhood.
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