A new study indicates there may be as many as 100,000 times the number of nomad planets in our galaxy as there are stars. A nomad planet is a large body following its own path through interstellar space; it is not in orbit around any star.
Astronomers know very little about these worlds. Until recently, such worlds existed only in science fiction. Until very recently, astronomers had no way to detect them. Where they come from isn't clear. Some were ejected from solar systems, but there is evidence that too many exist for all of them to be accounted for in that way. Having said that, however, coming up with a process by which planets would form in free space, away from any stars, is a real challenge.
Once again, trying to understand the universe is forcing humans to expand our notions of what's possible.
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Heavy matter other than Hydrogen cannot be created with any other process than fusion. So the matter that forms planets must have been ejected by supernovae.
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