Tag: gravitational microlensing
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Exoplanet Detection: How Astronomers Find Planets
Introduction to Exoplanet Detection For decades, the idea of planets orbiting stars other than the Sun was science fiction. Today, astronomers routinely detect exoplanets—planets outside our solar system—using a toolbox of techniques that reveal the presence and properties of distant worlds. Each method leverages a unique aspect of how planets interact with their star or…
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How Astronomers Discover Planets Beyond Our Solar System
Understanding the Challenge of Detecting Distant Worlds For centuries, humans wondered if planets orbit other stars. Today, astronomers routinely detect exoplanets—planets outside our solar system—using a toolkit of clever, indirect methods. These methods rely on how a planet’s gravity or light interaction with its star subtly alters the star’s behavior from Earth. While we can’t…