AST101: The Sun and its Neighbours - Extra-solar Planets II

These flashcards cover key concepts and definitions from the AST101 lecture on Extra-solar Planets II.

What is the Habitable Zone?

The range of distances from a star where liquid water can exist.

What is the purpose of the Radial Velocity Method?

To measure the motion of a star due to a planet's gravity by detecting redshift and blueshift.

What telescope is known for its excellent resolution and sensitivity in direct imaging of exoplanets?

The James Webb Space Telescope.

What is the significance of TRAPPIST-1?

TRAPPIST-1 is an ultra-cool red dwarf star with several planets, three of which are in the habitable zone.

How does the Transit Method work?

It measures the decrease in brightness of a star when a planet passes in front of it.

What are the observable effects of the Doppler Effect in relation to exoplanet detection?

Blueshift indicates an object is moving closer, while redshift indicates it is moving away.

What type of star is harder to detect planets around using current techniques?

Small, low mass stars because they are less bright and their habitable zone is closer.

What happens to light when a planet transits in front of its star?

The brightness of the star decreases temporarily due to the planet blocking some of its light.

What was the first planet discovered orbiting another star?

51 Pegasi b.

Why are planets close to their stars easier to detect?

Because of the angles involved, making transits more likely to be observed.

What does measuring a planet's spectrum tell us?

It reveals information about the planet's atmosphere.

How far is the nearest star from Earth, Proxima Centauri?

4.24 light years.

What does the term 'light year' refer to?

The distance that light travels in one year.

What does observational bias refer to in planetary detection?

The tendency to find larger or closer planets, while smaller or more distant planets are likely undetected.

What do we need to detect Earth-like planets more effectively?

Improved techniques and telescopes for better observations.