Estimating the exact number of solar systems, also known as planetary systems, in our galaxy, the Milky Way, is challenging. However, scientists believe that there are a vast number of solar systems in our galaxy.
The Milky Way is estimated to contain hundreds of billions of stars. Many of these stars are similar to our Sun and have the potential to host planetary systems. The discovery of numerous exoplanets in the past couple of decades has further reinforced the notion that planetary systems are common in the galaxy.
Based on observations and statistical extrapolation, scientists estimate that there could be tens of billions to hundreds of billions of planetary systems in the Milky Way. These systems can vary widely in terms of the number and characteristics of their planets, with some potentially harboring Earth-like planets in the habitable zone capable of supporting life.
It is important to note that our understanding of planetary systems is continuously evolving as our observational techniques improve. Ongoing and future missions, such as the Kepler Space Telescope and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope, will continue to discover and characterize exoplanets, contributing to our knowledge of the prevalence and diversity of solar systems in our galaxy.