An astronomer is trying to detect an exoplanet via the phase cycle brightness method. Which of these changes to a particular planet will make it easier to detect, if everything else about the planet is unchanged?
A) decreasing its mass
B) increasing its mass
C) decreasing its albedo
D) increasing its albedo

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increasing the albedo of a planet makes it easier to detect via the phase cycle brightness method because a higher albedo means the planet reflects more light from its star, making it brighter and more observable from Earth.

An Astronomer Is Trying to Detect an Exoplanet Via the Phase