Most of these early investigations are in disagreement with present understandings. The planets are large bodies of matter that shine by reflected sunlight. They revolve about the Sun in a counter-clockwise manner and have orbits that are elliptical in nature. They rotate on their own axes, and this rotation is usually counter-clockwise. Planets are located in space at tremendous distances from the Sun.
Scientists believe that the conditions on some planets are conducive to life.
However, there are planets too close to or too remote from the Sun to possess conditions suitable for the type of life known to people on Earth.