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I just removed the tag from this question, which clearly just needed the tag. The tag is still used on this question, which involves arriving in another planetary system, viewing the planets as exoplanets, as opposed to planets in viewer's original system.

Do we need the tag, or should it be made a synonym of ?

I'm in favor of this, because I can't see many questions needing to differentiate between planets and exoplanets.

Besides, exoplanets are just planets that aren't near where you are. It's similar to the idea that ever person is a foreigner - to someone else.

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    $\begingroup$ In favour. I can't see a need for both either. $\endgroup$ – ArtOfCode Apr 14 '15 at 18:14
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    $\begingroup$ If we have an exo-planets tag, shouldn't we have an exo-stars tag, or an exo-moons tag, and so on? It seems like a slippery slope, and thus should be destroyed before it grows too powerful. $\endgroup$ – DaaaahWhoosh Apr 14 '15 at 20:19
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I think it could be argued that exo-planets is not needed at all. The difference is all in perspective, and if that perspective is not evident in the question I would hazard a guess that the question isn't great in the first place. I would be fine with removing or making them synonyms.

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  • $\begingroup$ A synonym between "planets" and "exoplanets" should not be required; autocompletion should suffice in that case. $\endgroup$ – user Apr 15 '15 at 12:18
  • $\begingroup$ @MichaelKjörling well since both tags have appeared that's not what has happened... $\endgroup$ – Tim B Apr 15 '15 at 12:26
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I agree, and since others seem to as well I've made this change.

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  • $\begingroup$ IMO there is no need to have "exoplanets" as a synonym to "planets". $\endgroup$ – user Apr 15 '15 at 12:19
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An exoplanet is just like a planet except that it's in another solar system. Using the tag would make sense only (maybe) if it was using the in-world perspective. We would be talking about a far away planet vs the planets we can see with naked eyes/affordable telescopes.

Other than that, as James already mentioned, it's just a matter of perspective. From the omniscient point of view, the differentiation doesn't add anything.

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