Detection of exoplanets (AQA A-Level Physics): Flashcards
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Exoplanets
Exoplanets
Planets outside our solar system orbiting other stars
Radial velocity method principle
Radial velocity method principle
Detects Doppler shift in starlight from star's wobble
Star and planet orbit around what point
Star and planet orbit around what point
Common centre of mass
Blue-shift in radial velocity method indicates
Blue-shift in radial velocity method indicates
Star moving towards Earth (shorter wavelengths)
Red-shift in radial velocity method indicates
Red-shift in radial velocity method indicates
Star moving away from Earth (longer wavelengths)
Radial velocity method most effective for
Radial velocity method most effective for
High-mass planets (stronger gravitational pull)
Transit method principle
Transit method principle
Dip in starlight when planet passes in front of star
Periodic dips in starlight indicate
Periodic dips in starlight indicate
Presence of a planet in stable orbit
Light curve dip depth reveals
Light curve dip depth reveals
Planet's size
Transit method limitation
Transit method limitation
Only works if orbit aligned between star and Earth