extra-solar

The discovery of the first extra-solar planet surrounding a main-sequence star was announced in 1995, based on very precise radial velocity (Doppler) measurements.

2000, M. A. C. Perryman, “Extra-Solar Planets”, in Reports on Progress in Physics, volume 63, number 8, →DOI, page 1209

Among various techniques to search for extra-solar planets, microlensing has some unique characteristics.

2002 March 28, M. Dominik, M. D. Albrow, J.-P. Beaulieu, et al., “The PLANET microlensing follow-up network: results and prospects for the detection of extra-solar planets”, in Planetary and Space Science, volume 50, number 3, →DOI, page 299

The Systems Alliance is an independent supranational government representing the interests of humanity as a whole. The Alliance is responsible for the governance and defense of all extra-solar colonies and stations. The Alliance grew out of the various nation space programs as a matter of practicality. Sol's planets had been explored and exploited through piecemeal nation efforts. The expense of colonizing entire new solar systems could not be met by any one country. With humans knowing that alien contact was inevitable, there was enough political will to jointly fund an international effort.

2008, BioWare, Mass Effect, Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Systems Alliance Codex entry