Exoplanet Discovery refers to the process of identifying and confirming planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. These planets, known as exoplanets, vary in size, composition, and distance from their host stars. Methods used for exoplanet discovery include the transit method, where a planet passes in front of its star causing a temporary dimming of the star’s light, and the radial velocity method, which detects gravitational effects on a star caused by an orbiting planet. Other techniques include direct imaging and gravitational microlensing. The discovery of exoplanets has expanded our understanding of planetary systems and the potential for finding habitable worlds beyond Earth, contributing to ongoing research in astrophysics and the search for extraterrestrial life.
Astrophysicist and astrobiologist Professor Dr. Lisa Kaltenegger, known for her groundbreaking studies and research on alien planets, recently spoke on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show about the exciting possibility of…