Why Have Astronomers Using the Radial Velocity Method Found More

question 84

Multiple Choice

Why have astronomers using the radial velocity method found more Jupiter-sized planets at a distance of 1 AU around other stars than Earth-sized planets?

• 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.
• E) Actually, the planets found at these distances have all been Earth sized.