Exoplanet Discovery

Exoplanet Discovery refers to the process of identifying and confirming planets that exist outside of our solar system, orbiting stars other than the Sun. These celestial bodies, known as exoplanets, can vary widely in size, composition, and distance from their host stars. The methods used to discover exoplanets include transit photometry, which involves detecting the slight dimming of a star's light as a planet passes in front of it, and radial velocity, which observes changes in the star’s spectrum due to the gravitational effects of orbiting planets. Other techniques include direct imaging and gravitational microlensing. The discovery of exoplanets has expanded our understanding of the universe, revealing a diverse range of planetary systems and providing insights into the potential for habitable worlds beyond Earth. The search for exoplanets often fuels the quest for extraterrestrial life and broader questions about the nature of planetary formation and evolution.