Imagine that you observe an exoplanet transiting in front of its host star. Your
ID: 1604286 • Letter: I
Question
Imagine that you observe an exoplanet transiting in front of its host star. Your relative orientation is such that at times the exoplanet eclipses part of the star's visible surface. At other times, you know that the two objects are side by side. At other times, the star eclipses the exoplanet. When you plot the brightness-vs-time of the exoplanet-satr system over the course of a month, your plot looks like this: From your point of view, what is the relative location of the exoplanet and star when the brightness of the system is at its maximum value and the brightness of the system dips.Explanation / Answer
When an exoplanet passes in front of its star ( an event known as transit), it blocks some of the star's light. Depending on the exoplanets speed, the star's brightness is decreased.
(i) Maximum brightness, we deduce the exoplanet is not inbetween Earth and the reference host star
(ii) Dip in brightness, we deduce the exoplanet is inbetween Earth and the reference host star.