Transit
from class: Intro to Astronomy Definition A transit occurs when a planet passes directly between a star and an observer, causing the star's light to dim temporarily. This method is commonly used to detect planets outside our solar system.
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Predict what's on your test 5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test The transit method helps determine the size of an exoplanet based on the amount of starlight it blocks. Kepler Space Telescope has discovered thousands of exoplanets using the transit method. Transits can also provide information about an exoplanet's atmosphere through spectroscopy. The likelihood of detecting a transit depends on the alignment of the planet's orbit with our line of sight. Multiple transits must be observed to confirm the presence of an exoplanet and rule out other phenomena. Review Questions What key information can we learn about an exoplanet from its transit? Why is repeated observation important in confirming a planetary transit? How does the alignment of a planet's orbit affect the detection of transits?
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