Author Question: In the Ptolemaic system, Venus should not show phases. Indicate whether the statement is true or ... (Read 67 times)

c0205847 · **on:** Jul 27, 2018

In the Ptolemaic system, Venus should not show phases.

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Question 2

The Kepler mission has searched for Earth-like planets by looking for the dip in the brightness of a star as a (potential) planet transits across it.

Why will this technique actually miss the vast majority of planets around the stars it observes?

Danny Ewald · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

FALSE

Answer to Question 2

By searching for transits, Kepler can only detect those planets with orbits cross our line of sight to the star. This means the orbit must be very close to edge-on. Because planetary systems around other stars will have random orientations to us, most planets will not cross our line of sight and cause a dip in the star's brightness.