Why have astronomers found more Jupiter-sized planets at a distance of 1 AU around other stars than Earth-sized planets using the radial velocity method?
A) A Jupiter-sized planet occults a larger area than an Earth-sized planet.
B) A Jupiter-sized planet exerts a larger gravitational force on the star than an Earth-sized planet, and the Doppler shift of the star is larger.
C) A Jupiter-sized planet shines brighter than an Earth-sized planet.
D) Earth-sized planets are much rarer than Jupiter-sized planets.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The radial velocity method detects exoplanets by measuring the star's motion caused by the gravitational pull of the planet. The larger the planet, the more the star will wobble, creating a larger Doppler shift in the star's spectrum. Jupiter-sized planets have a much stronger gravitational pull and thus create a more significant radial velocity signal than Earth-sized planets, making them easier to detect using this method.

Why Have Astronomers Found More Jupiter-Sized Planets at a Distance