Question

Give three reasons why it is easier to detect large, close-in planets with the transit method of extrasolar planet detection than to detect small planets with distant objects.

Answer 1

1) Because larger planets cause higher dip in the brightness of their parent star, so easier to detect, during passing infront of it than smaller planets which causes very less dip in brightness of star and harder to detect .

2) larger planets have longer orbit than small ones so larger planets show transit in distinctly larger orbital period without interference from other surrounding objects.

3) Due to limitation of sensitivity of observing telescope in detecting smaller planets.