Exam-style question
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What is a common limitation of both the transit and radial velocity methods for exoplanet detection?.
- A.They can only detect planets that are directly aligned with Earth.
- B.They require advanced technology and long observation times.
- C.They are unable to detect planets with high eccentricity or inclination.
- D.They can only identify gas giants.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- They can only detect planets that are directly aligned with Earth.
Explanation
Why this works
Both the transit and radial velocity methods rely on specific alignments between the planet, star, and Earth. If a planet's orbit does not align with our line of sight, it will not produce the observable effects needed for detection, making this a significant limitation for both methods.
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