Detection method

Radial Velocity Method

Measuring the gravitational wobble a planet induces in its star.

Exoplanets

How it works

A planet's gravity tugs its star back and forth, shifting the star's spectrum slightly blue then red. The size of the wobble reveals the planet's mass.

Strengths and limitations

Gives a minimum mass, not a radius, and favours massive, close-in planets.

Example exoplanets

Planet	Class	Host	Radius (R⊕)	Period (d)	Distance (ly)
11 Com bRadial Velocity · 2007	Gas giant	11 Com	12.2	323	304
11 UMi bRadial Velocity · 2009	Gas giant	11 UMi	12.3	516	409
14 And bRadial Velocity · 2008	Gas giant	14 And	13.1	187	246
14 Her bRadial Velocity · 2002	Gas giant	14 Her	12.5	1766	58
HD 145675 cRadial Velocity · 2021	Gas giant	14 Her	12.6	15732	58
17 Sco bRadial Velocity · 2020	Gas giant	17 Sco	12.9	578	408
18 Del bRadial Velocity · 2008	Gas giant	18 Del	12.5	983	249
4 UMa bRadial Velocity · 2006	Gas giant	4 UMa	12.6	270	240
47 UMa bRadial Velocity · 1996	Gas giant	47 UMa	13.2	1078	45
47 UMa cRadial Velocity · 2001	Gas giant	47 UMa	14.2	2391	45
47 UMa dRadial Velocity · 2009	Gas giant	47 UMa	13.5	14002	45
51 Peg bRadial Velocity · 1995	Hot Jupiter	51 Peg	14.3	4.2308	50