Why are exoplanets hard to see?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Stars outshine them billions-fold
Hidden behind stars — Wrong. Exoplanets orbit stars, not hidden behind them. Challenge is detecting faint planets near brilliant stars—contrast problem.
Stars outshine them billions-fold ✓ — Correct! Stars outshine planets by factors of billions—like detecting firefly beside searchlight. Direct imaging requires blocking starlight (coronagraphs). Most exoplanets found indirectly: (1) Transit method—planet dims star slightly passing in front. (2) Radial velocity—star wobbles from planet's gravity. (3) Gravitational microlensing. Direct imaging improving with technology (James Webb Space Telescope)!
Moving too fast to photograph — Wrong. Orbital motion doesn't prevent detection. Challenge is overwhelming star brightness—billions of times brighter than reflected planet light.
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