IV. Gravitational Microlensing
An interesting discovery
of an Earth-like planet in the constellation Sagittarius was
made during a Dark Matter search.
The planet was discovered using a technique that used
gravitational lensing.
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If a single star passes in front of a background star then we expect a
single increase in the magnification of the light. However, if the
lensing star has a planet circulating about it, then we expect to see
a secondary magnification in the light from the distant star as the planet
passes in front of it. |
Detection of Earth-like planet: 5x mass of Earth with
an orbital period of ~10 years |
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