How does astrometry's sensitivity to detection change relative to the planet's orbital distance from its star?
Answer
Sensitivity increases with the planet's orbital distance
A key insight into the utility of astrometry, particularly in the context of the Gaia mission, lies in how its sensitivity interacts with orbital parameters. Unlike transit photometry, which favors finding hot, short-period planets because they transit frequently, astrometry benefits from greater orbital distances. The sensitivity for detecting a planet via its gravitational tug on the host star actually increases as the planet orbits further away from its star. This unique characteristic positions astrometry, and the data gathered by Gaia, to be especially effective in uncovering cooler, more widely orbiting worlds that remain physically inaccessible to transit monitoring surveys.
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