An asteroid belt has been discovered around the star Zeta Leporis. How was this belt discovered?
A) The asteroids were imaged directly by the Hubble Space Telescope.
B) A ring of hot dust was discovered around the star by spectroscopy, and collisions among asteroids were inferred as the cause.
C) The gravitational effects of the asteroids have created an off-center disk of dust and gas around the star.
D) The gravitational effects of the asteroids cause the star to wobble slightly in its proper motion.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The discovery of a ring of hot dust around the star Zeta Leporis through spectroscopy, and the inference that collisions among asteroids are the cause, indicates the presence of an asteroid belt. This method does not rely on direct imaging or observing gravitational effects on the star itself, but rather on the detection of dust produced by collisions within the belt.

An Asteroid Belt Has Been Discovered Around the Star Zeta