Exam-style question
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What is the main principle behind the transit method for detecting exoplanets?.
- A.Measuring the gravitational pull of the planet
- B.Observing the dimming of a star's light as a planet passes in front of it
- C.Detecting the heat emitted by the planet
- D.Analyzing the spectrum of light from the planet
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Observing the dimming of a star's light as a planet passes in front of it
Explanation
Why this works
The transit method relies on detecting the slight decrease in brightness of a star when a planet transits, or passes in front of it, blocking some of the star's light. This method allows astronomers to infer the presence of the exoplanet.
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