Exoplanets Explained
From dips in starlight to stellar wobbles, discover how exoplanets are detected and what makes a world potentially habitable.
📚 Detection Methods
- Transit: brightness dips as a planet crosses its star
- Radial velocity: star's spectral shift due to gravitational tug
- Direct imaging: rare, uses coronagraphs
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1) Habitable zone?
Range of orbits where liquid water can exist on the surface.
Range of orbits where liquid water can exist on the surface.
2) False positives?
Binary stars and stellar activity can mimic signals.
Binary stars and stellar activity can mimic signals.
3) Atmospheres?
Transit spectroscopy reveals atmospheric composition.
Transit spectroscopy reveals atmospheric composition.