What type of search technique has discovered the largest number of planets around the stars other than the Sun?
A) looking for tiny variations in the star's position in the sky, caused by the gravitational pull of one or more planets orbiting the star
B) looking for small variations in the light of a distant star indicating motion of a planet across the face of the star
C) looking for excess infrared radiation from the star, caused by the presence of planets that are cool and thus emitting primarily in the infrared
D) using space-based telescopes to search for tiny pinpoints of light that follow circular or elliptical paths around the star

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The technique of looking for small variations in the light of a distant star indicating motion of a planet across the face of the star, also known as the transit method, has discovered the largest number of planets around stars other than the Sun. This technique involves looking for a periodic decrease in the amount of light received from a star as a planet passes in front of it.

What Type of Search Technique Has Discovered the Largest Number