<p>As far as we know exoplanetary systems have orbital planes that are randomly distributed with respect to the Galactic plane. Indeed our own ecliptic plane is quite inclined with respect to the Galactic plane - as one can readily tell from the fact that the planets are not always seen against a background of the Milky Way.</p>
<p>Further details and some references can be found in answers to the related questions <a href="https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/21191/detection-of-exo-planets?noredirect=1&amp;lq=1">Detection of exo-planets</a> and <a href="https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/40277/do-the-axes-of-rotation-of-most-stars-in-the-milky-way-align-reasonably-closely?noredirect=1&amp;lq=1">Do the axes of rotation of most stars in the Milky Way align reasonably closely with the axis of galactic rotation?</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T20:14:22.263Z
2021-01-06T20:20:54.687Z
2021-01-06T20:20:54.687Z
ProfRob
<p>All the planets in the solar system rotate roughly in a plane that intersects the sun.</p>
<p>Stars in the Milky Way rotate around its centre forming a rough planar disk.</p>
<p><strong>Question</strong></p>
<p>Are these planes all parallel? I.e. Do planets of all stars rotate in planes parallel to the plane of the galaxy? Do they rotate in the same direction?</p>
<p>If so, is it</p>
<p>(a) because the whole galaxy evolved from a spinning mass so it naturally turned out that way</p>
<p>(b) because, over time, the 'wheels' that were spinning on other axes were somehow dragged into alignment</p>
<p>(c) Nobody knows</p>
<p>(d) Something else</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T17:03:21.207Z
The plane of the Milky Way is quite separate from the plane of the ecliptic.
antlersoft
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T20:18:44.353Z
See also https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/29641/star-rotational-axes-and-solar-system-orientations?noredirect=1&lq=1 and https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/40277/do-the-axes-of-rotation-of-most-stars-in-the-milky-way-align-reasonably-closely?noredirect=1&lq=1
ProfRob
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-06T14:13:36.450Z
@ProfRob **I don't think it's a dupe** because this question talks about stars revolving around the galactic plane, while the dupe target talks about detection of exoplanets, which doesn't seem right.
WarpPrime
<star><galaxy><orbital-migration>
How co-planar and co-rotatory are the Milky Way and its constituents?
chasly - supports Monica
# How co-planar and co-rotatory are the Milky Way and its constituents?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-01-06)

All the planets in the solar system rotate roughly in a plane that intersects the sun.

Stars in the Milky Way rotate around its centre forming a rough planar disk.

**Question**

Are these planes all parallel? I.e. Do planets of all stars rotate in planes parallel to the plane of the galaxy? Do they rotate in the same direction?

If so, is it

(a) because the whole galaxy evolved from a spinning mass so it naturally turned out that way

(b) because, over time, the 'wheels' that were spinning on other axes were somehow dragged into alignment

(c) Nobody knows

(d) Something else

**Tags:** star, galaxy, orbital-migration

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: @username_2 **I don't think it's a dupe** because this question talks about stars revolving around the galactic plane, while the dupe target talks about detection of exoplanets, which doesn't seem right.  
> **username_1**: The plane of the Milky Way is quite separate from the plane of the ecliptic.  
> **username_2**: See also https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/29641/star-rotational-axes-and-solar-system-orientations?noredirect=1&lq=1 and https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/40277/do-the-axes-of-rotation-of-most-stars-in-the-milky-way-align-reasonably-closely?noredirect=1&lq=1  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-01-06. Score: 4

As far as we know exoplanetary systems have orbital planes that are randomly distributed with respect to the Galactic plane. Indeed our own ecliptic plane is quite inclined with respect to the Galactic plane - as one can readily tell from the fact that the planets are not always seen against a background of the Milky Way.

Further details and some references can be found in answers to the related questions [Detection of exo-planets](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/21191/detection-of-exo-planets?noredirect=1&lq=1) and [Do the axes of rotation of most stars in the Milky Way align reasonably closely with the axis of galactic rotation?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/40277/do-the-axes-of-rotation-of-most-stars-in-the-milky-way-align-reasonably-closely?noredirect=1&lq=1)


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