The Nobel Prize of 2019 in Physics was awarded to three astronomers for their contributions to our understanding of the evolution of the universe and the Earth's place in the cosmos. They are professor James Peebles at Princeton University "for theoretical discoveries in physical cosmology" and professors Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz at the University of Geneva "for the discovery of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star." The three astronomers have different research directions. Peebles'research is on cosmology, while Mayor and Queloz's research is on searching for extra-solar planets (exoplanets). In the present paper, we reviews the scientific accomplishment by Mayor and Queloz and their important impacts on planetary sciences and astronomy, as well as the diversity of exoplanets and the great challenges to our traditional understanding of the formation of the Solar system. We also comment on the progresses on searching for potentially habitable exoplanets and the s exo-life.

Nobel Prize in Physics 2019  /  exoplanets  /  habitable exoplanets  /  exo-life  /  planetary science