Planet Hunting Techniques: Radial Velocity

Even though a planet is so much smaller than its star, it still exerts a tiny gravitational tug on the star as it orbits. When a planet is behind its star (from our point of view), it pulls the star slightly away from us. When the planet is in front of its star, it pulls the star slightly toward us. This causes the star to wobble ever so slightly back and forth. Most planets have been discovered after astronomers caught this wobble.... Read More إقرأ المزيد | Share it now!