Which theoretical technique might enable the detection of planets in distant galaxies?
Answer
Gravitational microlensing
Gravitational microlensing is a phenomenon where the gravity of a massive object, such as a star, acts as a lens, bending and magnifying the light of a background object. If a planet is involved in such a lensing event, it could theoretically leave a distinct signature in the light curve, offering a potential pathway for identifying planetary-scale objects in distant galaxies like Andromeda.
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