radial velocity

Radial velocity is a method used in astronomy to detect objects like planets orbiting a star. It measures the tiny shifts in the star’s light spectrum caused by its motion toward or away from us due to gravitational pull from orbiting bodies. When the star moves closer, the light shifts slightly toward the blue; when it moves away, toward the red. By analyzing these shifts over time, astronomers can determine the presence of planets, their sizes, and orbits. Essentially, radial velocity tracks the star’s "wobble" to reveal hidden companions in space.