AST-595advanced

Gravitational Microlensing: Advanced Connections

Gravitational microlensing detects planets when a foreground star passes close to the line of sight to a distant background source and its gravity magnifies the source's light. Microlensing samples planets farther from their stars, low-mass worlds, and potentially free-floating planets, complementing detection methods biased toward close-in systems.

Review statusgreen

Review cycle365 days

Last reviewedNot yet

Start lesson See what connects to this

Learn this concept

Turn the idea into understanding.

1 published lesson

advanced56 minFact checked

Gravitational Microlensing: Advanced Connections

Open the full lesson, review the evidence, and complete the knowledge check.

Knowledge map

See where this idea fits.

←

Before this

Prerequisites

AST-594Gravitational Microlensing: Observation, Measurement & Evidence→

→

After this

Builds toward

AST-596Astrometry & Transit Timing Variations: Foundations→

Evidence first

Verified knowledge behind the lesson.

How verification works →

Gravitational microlensing detects planets when a foreground star passes close to the line of sight to a distant background source and its gravity magnifies the source's light.

supported

The foreground mass curves spacetime and bends multiple light paths toward the observer.

supported