Why Have Astronomers Using the Radial Velocity Method Found More

Multiple Choice

Why have astronomers using the radial velocity method found more Jupiter-sized planets at a distance of 1 AU around other stars than Earth-sized planets?

A) A Jupiter-sized planet occults a larger area than an Earth-sized planet.
B) A Jupiter-sized planet exerts a larger gravitational force on the star than an Earth-sized planet, and the Doppler shift of the star is larger.
C) A Jupiter-sized planet shines brighter than an Earth-sized planet.
D) Earth-sized planets are much rarer than Jupiter-sized planets.
E) Actually, the planets found at these distances have all been Earth sized.