An exoplanet detected through microlensing causes
A) variations in the brightness of a star that is distant from both the exoplanet and Earth.
B) variations in the brightness of the star the exoplanet orbits.
C) variations in the spectrum of a star that is distant from both the exoplanet and Earth.
D) variations in the spectrum of a star that the exoplanet orbits.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Microlensing occurs when the gravitational field of an exoplanet (or another massive object) acts as a lens, magnifying the light from a distant background star as the exoplanet passes between the star and Earth. This results in variations in the brightness of the distant star, not the star the exoplanet orbits or changes in the spectrum of any star.

An Exoplanet Detected Through Microlensing Causes