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.
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.
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)!
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