Detecting exoplanets with the transit method
Date: 07 February 2017
Copyright: ESA
This animation shows a planet whose orbit is aligned in such a way that it crosses the disc of its parent star as seen from Earth: during these transits, the star appears less bright. By detecting these periodic decreases of brightness over time, it is possible to detect the presence of the planet orbiting the star.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
