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In the past few years, astronomers have made some strides in improving technology for their telescope and computerized data analysis and they have been able to spot over 350 extra solar planets in more than 275 separate system within a few hundred light years of the Sun. Of course the techniques used to find them are generally indirect, based on analysis of light from the parent star, not from the unseen planet. Bottom line is everything is empirical with some technological advance to help us get a closer look and it's going to take a while. For instance, does anything look a little like a Nebula theory out there, yet it's just starting out
Deaf Joe in WA
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoObservers at the Keck Telescope on Mauna Kea Hawaii target prospective stars and measure extremely accurately the frequency of the light received. If the star has a planet orbiting it the star will oscillate very slightly at the rate of the planet's orbit 'year'.
Analogy
Imagine two skaters spinning about each other whilst holding their partners hands, each at arms length. The skater at the pivot point will find it impossible to rotate around a single point without moving to and fro a little.
The frequency of the received starlight will thus vary very slightly in a sinusoidal way due to 'Doppler Shift'.
Some recently discovered extra solar planets are very large and orbit incredibly close to their 'Sun' and are the easiest to spot. Thus the glare of the star does not need to be removed for this method of detection.
Another way of detecting a planet is to see the starlight dimming as the planet partially 'Occults' the starlight as it passes between the star and the telescope.The planet must be a large one in order to stand a chance of detection.
A further method involves 'Gravitational Lensing'. This occurs very rarely as the light from a distant star is bent around a very massive object sited between the observer and the distant star This fleeting observation is akin to a magnifying glass being placed between us and the star and we are at the focus for a few minutes. Rare but possible!
Wiki User
∙ 8y agobecause a planet is always smaller than the parent star. using a telescope it is almost impossible to spot the dimming of the star.
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What is an example for astronomy?
An example of astrophysics could be the process of which stars are "born" and "die," and it differences from astronomy because it is (astronomy) mostly observational e.g. search for asteroids and planets.
What is the planet on which the sun does not rise and set?
All planets that rotate in our solar system will see apparent sun rise and sun set There are no planets that are stationary not to view the apparent sun rise and sun set.
What characteristics set the inner planets apart from the outer planet and name the outer planets?
The inner planets are all rocky planets, whereas the outer planets are gas giants. Pluto is the exception. The outer planets also make 99% of our planets and are outside the asteroid belt.
The set of planets in our solar system with a name that starts with the letter M?
mars
Why cant you stay in other planets why are there only humans in earth why no one is staying in other planets?
There are no other planets that we know of that can support life. No has ever set foot on another planet, let alone lived there.
Why are the planets closest to the sun made of solids and the far planets made of gas?
No particular reason, actually a lot of extrasolar systems are set up differently. It can happen any number of ways during formation and ours just happens to be set up this way.
Are extrasolar-planets real?
Yes, about a thousand extrasolar planets have been discovered so far. However, not much details are known about them - for example, it's too early to tell whether there is life on any of them.
Why are planets named after roman gods?
That was the practice in Roman times, for the 5 planets visible to the naked eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Later, European astronomers adopted these as a common reference. It also set a precedent for naming Uranus (for Greek god Ouranos), Neptune (Roman god of the sea), and Pluto (Roman god of the underworld) when these planets were discovered.
What set of planets have more moons terrestrial or gas?
gas planets
Why are the planets named after the roman gods?
That was the practice in Roman times, for the 5 planets visible to the naked eye: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Later, European astronomers adopted these as a common reference. It also set a precedent for naming Uranus (for Greek god Ouranos), Neptune (Roman god of the sea), and Pluto (Roman god of the underworld) when these planets were discovered.
Who is the greek astronomers who set up a system for measuring the magnitude stars?
galileo
What is an example for astronomy?
An example of astrophysics could be the process of which stars are "born" and "die," and it differences from astronomy because it is (astronomy) mostly observational e.g. search for asteroids and planets.
Which set of planets is earth in?
Inner or terrestrial
Does the sun set on other planets?
Yes
What is the planet on which the sun does not rise and set?
All planets that rotate in our solar system will see apparent sun rise and sun set There are no planets that are stationary not to view the apparent sun rise and sun set.
What are three major things that set earth apart from other planets?
The three major things that set earth apart from other planets is atmosphere, climate, and weather.
What characteristics set the inner planets apart from the outer planet and name the outer planets?
The inner planets are all rocky planets, whereas the outer planets are gas giants. Pluto is the exception. The outer planets also make 99% of our planets and are outside the asteroid belt.
