Orientation of extrasolar planets' orbital planes

[Geo3gh]

Here's something that I've been pondering, and was wondering if anyone on the BABB might have insights on.

As I understand it, the ecliptic plane for our solar system is (very roughly) perpendicular to the disk of the Milky Way. But what about the other solar systems that we are finding nowadays? How are their ecliptics oriented with respect to the Milky Way.

I would expect that the orientation would be entirely random, but I haven't seen any data about the extrasolar planets' orbits to support this. Mostly because I haven't been getting the data from the primary sources (mostly I get it in digest form). I don't know that I'd be able to interpret the figures if I saw them in any case.

So: is there any sort of pattern in the orientations of the various ecliptic planes, or is it a random assortment as I suspect?

[Andreas]

If we go on suspicions, mine would be that most would be more or less aligned with the galactic disk. I expect the gas clouds to pick up their spin on collapse mostly from their orbiting of the galactic center.

I'd also like to hear if there is any data on this.

[Geo3gh]

I'm sure that some of the spin is going to come from the motion around the galaxy. But some of it also has to come from the stellar wind from surrounding stars. And then consider that the cloud of gas that is to become a solar system consists of the ejecta from various supernovae. And I don't know what else might add into the chaos.

My initial gut check came from looking at a picture of a cluster of galaxies. You could see the various disks, and the axes of rotation were pointing every which way. In a basically unsupported leap I figured that the same should hold for solar systems.

[Bob]

A fellow named Plait addressed this question

http://www.badastronomy.com/mad/2000/ecliptic.html

Briefly, the spin axes of stars are generally randomly oriented and the plane of the ecliptic is at an angle of about 60 degrees from the plane of the galaxy.

[Geo3gh]

D'oh! I keep forgetting that there is a website attached to this board.

[Geo3gh]

OK, I just read Phil's article, and he basically confirmed what I thought. I now feel very smart (that will fade, though).