Exoplanet Transit Method

The exoplanet transit method detects planets outside our solar system by observing the slight dimming of a star’s light when a planet passes in front of it. This event, called a transit, causes a tiny, regular decrease in the star’s brightness. By measuring these dips over time, astronomers can determine the planet’s size, orbit, and sometimes its atmosphere. This method is effective because it relies on precise, continuous monitoring of many stars, allowing the discovery of distant planets that would otherwise be invisible through normal imaging.