Which of the following exoplanets would be easiest to detect using the transit method?
A) an Earth-sized planet orbiting close to its parent star, viewed "edge-on"
B) a Neptune-sized planet orbiting close to its parent star, viewed "edge-on"
C) a Saturn-sized planet orbiting far from its parent star, viewed "face-on"
D) a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting far from its parent star, viewed "face-on"

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The transit method detects exoplanets by observing the dimming of a star's light as a planet passes in front of it. A Neptune-sized planet orbiting close to its parent star, viewed "edge-on," would cause a significant, detectable decrease in the star's brightness due to its size and the frequency of transits, making it easier to detect compared to the other options.

Which of the Following Exoplanets Would Be Easiest to Detect