Detection method
Microlensing
Using a star's gravity as a lens to reveal an unseen planet.
Exoplanets
How it works
When one star passes in front of another, its gravity magnifies the background star's light; a planet adds a characteristic extra blip.
Strengths and limitations
Events are one-off and never repeat, so follow-up is difficult.
Example exoplanets
| Planet | Class | Host | Radius (R⊕) | Period (d) | Distance (ly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOA-2007-BLG-192L bMicrolensing · 2008 | Mini-Neptune | MOA-2007-BLG-192L | 3.58 | — | 7046 |
| OGLE-2005-BLG-071L bMicrolensing · 2005 | Gas giant | OGLE-2005-BLG-071L | 13 | — | 10438 |
| OGLE-2005-BLG-390L bMicrolensing · 2005 | Super-Earth | OGLE-2005-BLG-390L | 2.21 | 3285 | 21529 |
| OGLE-2006-BLG-109L bMicrolensing · 2008 | Gas giant | OGLE-2006-BLG-109L | 14 | 1789 | 4926 |
| OGLE-2006-BLG-109L cMicrolensing · 2008 | Gas giant | OGLE-2006-BLG-109L | 11.1 | 4928 | 4926 |
| OGLE-2007-BLG-368L bMicrolensing · 2009 | Mini-Neptune | OGLE-2007-BLG-368L | 4.72 | — | 19246 |
| OGLE-2012-BLG-0026L bMicrolensing · 2012 | Gas giant | OGLE-2012-BLG-0026L | 7.72 | — | 13110 |
| OGLE-2012-BLG-0026L cMicrolensing · 2012 | Gas giant | OGLE-2012-BLG-0026L | 13.9 | — | 13110 |