AST-583intermediate

Radial Velocity: Physical Mechanisms

The radial-velocity method detects the line-of-sight motion of a star as it orbits the common center of mass with an unseen planet. Radial velocity measures planetary masses, detects nontransiting planets, constrains eccentricity, and combines with transit radius to derive bulk density.

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Radial Velocity: Physical Mechanisms

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AST-582Radial Velocity: Structures & Vocabulary→

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AST-584Radial Velocity: Observation, Measurement & Evidence→

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The radial-velocity method detects the line-of-sight motion of a star as it orbits the common center of mass with an unseen planet.

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Star and planet both orbit their barycenter.

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The discovery of 51 Pegasi b and many subsequent planets came from periodic stellar Doppler signals.

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