AST 101 Part 2

Methods for detecting exoplanets

1. Transit Method

2. Radial Velocity Method

3. Astrometry Method

4. Direct Observation

Transit Method

An event where one object travels in front of our view of a second object

-most successful method

Challenges regrading Transit Method

1. Noise

2. Narrow Line of Sight

3. Time

Radial Velocity Method/Wobble Method

relies on the fact that a star does not remain completely stationary when it is orbited by a planet

-The bigger the wobble, the more massive the planet

Astrometry method

Precisely measure a star’s position in the sky

-identify planets around a star by measuring tiny changes in the star’s position