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To: BenLurkin

How is it we can identify planets billions of light years away but not one in our backyard?


14 posted on 10/02/2018 5:55:00 PM PDT by Mean Daddy (Every time Hillary lies, a demon gets its wings. - Windflier)
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To: Mean Daddy

We look at a star, and measure a decrease in brightness that corresponds to a planet passing in front of it.

We can also look for light reflecting off a large planet near its star.

Problem with Planet Y is it’s not positioned for us to observe that way, reflects too little light, and we don’t even know where to look.


15 posted on 10/02/2018 6:45:58 PM PDT by ctdonath2 (The Red Queen wasn't kidding.)
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To: Mean Daddy
How is it we can identify planets billions of light years away but not one in our backyard?

Too far out to reflect enough sunlight to be detected.

19 posted on 10/03/2018 12:14:59 AM PDT by fso301
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