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Planetary Transits and Telescopic Observation
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Transit Photometry
Photometry during a transit measures the star's light curve, showing a slight dimming as the planet covers part of the star's disk.
Importance of Transit Timing Variations (TTV)
Analyzing TTVs can lead to discovering additional planets or moons by observing the variations in transit timing of a known exoplanet.
Definition of a Planetary Transit Event
A planetary transit is when a planet passes directly between a star and the observer, causing a small dip in the star's brightness.
Role of Atmospheric Characterization in Planetary Transits
During a transit, some starlight passes through the planet's atmosphere, which can be analyzed using spectroscopy to determine atmospheric composition and presence of potential biosignatures.
Transit Depth and Planetary Radius
The transit depth, denoted by , where is the planet's radius and is the star's radius, gives an estimate of the planet's size.
Significance of Transit Duration
The duration of a transit, along with the star's properties, helps to determine the planet's orbital distance and speed, as well as its atmosphere's characteristics.
Transit Method Limitations
The transit method requires precise alignment of planetary orbits, can miss non-transiting planets, and is more sensitive to large planets close to their stars.
Equipment Needed for Observing Planetary Transits
Transit observations require telescopes with photometers or cameras capable of precise brightness measurements, and often image processing software.
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