Astronomy & Space Science · AST-594
Gravitational Microlensing: Observation, Measurement & Evidence
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Evidence
Evidence for Gravitational Microlensing
Microlensing surveys monitor dense star fields and have detected planets from Earth mass to gas giants, including systems at large orbital separations that are difficult for transit surveys.
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- 01How We Find and Characterize ExoplanetsOpen source ↗
NASA Science
View claim-by-claim traceability3 verified claims
Microlensing surveys monitor dense star fields and have detected planets from Earth mass to gas giants, including systems at large orbital separations that are difficult for transit surveys.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026Gravitational 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 · checked Sep 22, 2026The foreground mass curves spacetime and bends multiple light paths toward the observer.
supported · checked Sep 22, 2026