How does the transit method influence the current catalog of confirmed exoplanets?
Answer
It skews the catalog towards large planets in tight orbits, like hot Jupiters
The transit method relies on observing the tiny fraction of light blocked when a planet passes directly in front of its host star from our observational perspective. This technique inherently favors certain types of planets. The closer a planet orbits to its star, the more frequently the transit event occurs, increasing the chances of detection and confirmation. Furthermore, larger planets block more light, resulting in a more noticeable dip. Consequently, the current catalog is heavily weighted toward planets with short orbital periods and large radii, often referred to as "hot Jupiters" and "super-Earths" locked in close proximity to their parent stars.
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