Stanford: Galaxy May Swarm with 'Nomad Planets'

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Nomads of the Galaxy
Kavli Foundation | Science Spotlights | 2012 May 23

Planets simply adrift in space may not only be common in the cosmos; in the Milky Way Galaxy alone, their number may be in the quadrillions. Three experts discussed what this might mean, whether a nomad planet could drift close to our solar system, and how it is possible for a nomad planet to sustain life.

PLANET, n. [L. planeta; from Greek πλανήτης αστήρ planētēs astēr "wandering star" wandering, to wander.]
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NOMAD, n. [L. nomas, -adis, roaming without fixed home, from Greek: νομάδες, nomádes, "those who let pasture herds": This verb is connected with L. Nemus, a wood , a place over-grown with trees, and also a pasture, the primary sense of which is probably to spring or shoot, for the verb signifies among other things, to leap, to dance, and may be allied to Eng. nimble. Cf. Astronomy, Economy, Nimble, Nemesis, Numb, Number.] One who leads a wandering life, and subsists by tending herds of cattle which graze on herbage of spontaneous growth. The Numidians in Africa are supposed to have been so called from this practice.