The Kepler mission is designed to search for extrasolar planets using the _________ method.
A) Doppler shift
B) transit
C) microlensing
D) direct imaging

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Kepler mission uses the transit method to search for extrasolar planets. This involves measuring slight dips in a star's brightness as a planet passes in front of it, causing a decrease in the amount of light received by Kepler's detectors. This method allows for the detection of planets even if they cannot be directly imaged, unlike the direct imaging method. The other methods listed, Doppler shift and microlensing, can also be used to detect exoplanets but are not the primary method used by the Kepler mission.

The Kepler Mission Is Designed to Search for Extrasolar Planets