Radial Velocity Method To Detect Exoplanets
by Nasa/science Photo Library
Title
Radial Velocity Method To Detect Exoplanets
Artist
Nasa/science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Illustration showing how the radial velocity method (also known as Doppler spectroscopy) can be used to detect extrasolar planets (exoplanets). The radial velocity method relies on the fact that a star does not remain stationary when it is orbited by a planet, but responds to the gravitational pull of the planet. When viewed from a distance, these slight movements affect the star's normal light spectrum (shown at bottom). If the star is moving towards the observer, then the spectrum would appear slightly shifted towards the blue; if it is moving away, it will be shifted towards the red. Using highly sensitive spectrographs, a star's spectrum can be tracked over time. Regular, periodic shifts towards the red, blue, and back again indicate the presence of a body orbiting the star. Transit methods for detecting exoplanets can provide an estimate of a planet's size, but not the mass. Using both methods, combining mass and size, the planet's density can be calculated which is an important
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September 24th, 2019
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