And this is why I'm still an astronomy geek

[major_clanger]

The Kepler planet-hunting probe has demonstrated the clarity of its detection system by seeing not only the dip in light as a planet passes in front of its star, and indeed not only the dip again caused by the planet's own light as it passes behind, but the smooth increase in light from the planet as it's orbit takes it through the full range of phases.



This movie explains the light curve.

To me, that we are not only detecting planets a thousand light-years away, but actually measuring their changing phases as they orbit their star, is nothing short of amazing. I can also see some fun school-level science teaching from this, such as using the light curve to estimate the size of both the planet and the star.

Comments

[sharikkamur.livejournal.com]

Yup, that is exceedingly cool.

[mishalak.livejournal.com]

From this it seems like we are about two generations of technology away from direct detection rather than looking for indirect signals like transits and the motion of the stars under the influence of their planets. I mean, look at that! Sure it is a very large planet, but the next telescope will be even more sensitive if history is any guide.