Editing 1371: Brightness
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{{w|Exoplanets}} are planets outside of our solar system, and exoplanet astronomers are astronomers who attempt to discover and study such planets. | {{w|Exoplanets}} are planets outside of our solar system, and exoplanet astronomers are astronomers who attempt to discover and study such planets. | ||
− | + | In the comic, Megan is using a common exoplanet [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exoplanet#Indirect_methods discovery technique] to discover a planet (Earth) around a nearby star (the Sun). When a planet passes between an observing astronomer and a star the planet will block some of the light coming from that star causing it to appear dimmer for some amount of time. When the Earth does this, we call it [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night Night]. By observing that the the Sun's brightness at night has decreased (by 100%) compared to daytime, Megan correctly concludes that it is orbited by at least one planet (the Earth). | |
− | + | The title text alludes to using more complicated techniques to look observe light reflected off of small, dark planets like the Earth. For example, detecting {{w|Methods of detecting exoplanets#Polarimetry|polarized light}} reflected from the planet's atmosphere. Since these require light from the star to reflect off of the planet, it's easier for us to image the Earth directly during daylight hours. Observing the light that reflects off of the Earth is in fact how we see everything around us. | |
− | + | More details at: {{w|Methods of detecting exoplanets}} | |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
− | :[ | + | :[Megan is standing on a black (night-time) background, staring at the ground.] |
:Megan: Based on this decrease in the star's brightness, I believe it is orbited by at least one planet. | :Megan: Based on this decrease in the star's brightness, I believe it is orbited by at least one planet. | ||
− | + | :Exoplanet Astronomers At Night | |
− | :Exoplanet | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
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