if nothing can go faster than the speed of light, how is this possible ???
2006-09-14 14:46:49 · 9 answers · asked by im2stupiddotcom_AM 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
All exoplanets found to date are within the Milky Way which is 100,000 light years in diameter, The furthest one is 21,500 light years away, the nearest 10.4 light years away, OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb and Epsilon Eridani b respectively
There are seven different techniques whereby we can discover them, gravitational wobble is one of those, but there are others. See link below for details,
2006-09-14 15:18:11 · answer #1 · answered by Mint_Julip 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Many of the stars you see in the sky are millions of lights years away or more. This may seem like a long time but since the universe is believed to be at least 13 billion years old that isn't much time at all.
The planets discovered orbiting other stars are not "seen" in the same way we see planets like Venus or Jupiter. They are so far away we cannot see them directly at all.
We know they are there because their gravity causes the star they are orbiting to wobble slightly. Knowing how fast and how much it wobbles tells us how massive the planet is and how close it is to the star.
So when astronomers see a wobbling star that is a million or a billion light years away (when the technology is precise enough to detect them) they are actually see light that left that star a million or a billion years ago.
So really, we could be looking at stars that are no longer there but we won’t know until millions of years later.
2006-09-14 22:18:54 · answer #2 · answered by The Fred 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi. Those planets were detected by measuring their effects on the orbits of the stars they circle. They are at most only thousands of light years away, though.
2006-09-14 21:50:17 · answer #3 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just by looking at them. We see the old light that started millions of years ago.
2006-09-14 22:40:06 · answer #4 · answered by Dr M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They find planets by studying gravity fluctuations in stars. But I think they're a lot closer than a million lightyears, though.
2006-09-14 21:49:46 · answer #5 · answered by bioraptor7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a new planet just discovered is, I believe, only 450 light years away
2006-09-14 21:54:33 · answer #6 · answered by brunchbuddy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the star "wobbles" because a planet is circling it... but it took place millions of years ago and we are just seeing it now
2006-09-14 22:51:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to know about creation,get a bible. Scientists are now leaning towards intellegent creation. God created the world, and he created you, and he loves you. Take the time to read about him. He will open your eyes to many things that you cannot see right now. Turn towards Jesus, he is the answer for everything. Get to know him, and many of your questions like these he will make known to you, honestly. Invite him into your heart tonight, you won`t be sorry.
2006-09-14 21:55:30 · answer #8 · answered by soulrenewer 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
study things very small can make you know things very big
2006-09-17 08:21:53 · answer #9 · answered by david w 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋