Indirect ways to look for planets:

  • Radial Velocity

    • The radial velocity method is most effective at detecting planets that are:

  • big (massive)
  • close-in (small orbital semimajor axis)
  • short period (year not very long)
  • edge-on (orbital plane perpendicular to plane of sky)

    • Expectations for a radial velocity search for planets:

    Jupiter causes a 10m/s wobble over a 12-year period, expected 10-20 year search for low amplitude doppler wobbles. Massive Jupiter-like planets out beyond snow line in circular orbits.

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