Summary Protoplanets swept up all available matter around them - explains spacing of orbits. Spinning nebula condensing down to a fast rotating disk explains circular orbits and most rotations found, and also explains the ecliptic plane. Randomness and violence of planetesimal collisions can give rise to different rotation directions, planet sizes and locations. Data taken at Keck for the star Gliese 876 occultation - starlight dims as planet passes in front of star in our line of sight. Presently, approx 50 have been found, most as heavy or heavier than Jupiter.
None are planets like our own.
Some new planets found are really brown dwarf stars. Some planets have been found not orbitting any star. French Space Agency with several European collaborators. To be launched end of 2004.