Questions: Which of the following is NOT a mechanism by which planets around other stars are being found? Gamma ray telescopes detect the abundance of gamma rays coming from planets compared to their host stars. Light from the star is observed to drop slightly as planets pass between the star and Earth. Although dim compared to their stars, new telescopes can image these planets directly, like Mars or Jupiter. Gravity from orbiting planets pulls stars slightly, making them "wobble" in the sky.

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism by which planets around other stars are being found?
Gamma ray telescopes detect the abundance of gamma rays coming from planets compared to their host stars.
Light from the star is observed to drop slightly as planets pass between the star and Earth.
Although dim compared to their stars, new telescopes can image these planets directly, like Mars or Jupiter.
Gravity from orbiting planets pulls stars slightly, making them "wobble" in the sky.

Transcript text: Which of the following is NOT a mechanism by which planets around other stars are being found? Gamma ray telescopes detect the abundance of gamma rays coming from planets compared to their host stars. Light from the star is observed to drop slightly as planets pass between the star and Earth. Although dim compared to their stars, new telescopes can image these planets directly, like Mars or Jupiter. Gravity from orbiting planets pulls stars slightly, making them "wobble" in the sky.

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Mechanisms for Detecting Exoplanets

To determine which option is NOT a mechanism for detecting exoplanets, we need to understand the common methods used in astronomy:

Transit Method: This involves observing the light from a star to see if it drops slightly when a planet passes in front of it. This is a well-known method for detecting exoplanets.
Direct Imaging: Although challenging, it is possible to directly image exoplanets using advanced telescopes. This method captures images of planets by blocking out the star's light.
Radial Velocity (Wobble) Method: This method detects the gravitational pull of a planet on its host star, causing the star to "wobble" slightly. This wobble can be detected through changes in the star's spectral lines.

Step 2: Evaluate the Given Options

Now, let's evaluate each option provided in the question:

Gamma ray telescopes detect the abundance of gamma rays coming from planets compared to their host stars: This is not a known method for detecting exoplanets. Planets do not emit significant gamma rays compared to their host stars, and gamma ray telescopes are not used for this purpose.
Light from the star is observed to drop slightly as planets pass between the star and Earth: This describes the transit method, which is a valid technique for finding exoplanets.
Although dim compared to their stars, new telescopes can image these planets directly, like Mars or Jupiter: This describes the direct imaging method, which is a valid technique for finding exoplanets.
Gravity from orbiting planets pulls stars slightly, making them "wobble" in the sky: This describes the radial velocity method, which is a valid technique for finding exoplanets.