Question

Does the extrasolar planet system with the largest doppler shift match the radial velocity curves with the highest amplitude? (ie. Planet System B goes with graph F)

Answer 1

The radial-velocity method, also known as Doppler spectroscopy, was most convenient for the study of extrasolar planets.

Specifically, Doppler spectroscopy consists in monitoring potential Doppler shiftsi inthe spectra of stars with numerous absorption lines. The visible portion of the spectra of F, G, K and M dwarfs contains a large number of metal absorption lines.These lines form a convenient tool to measure wavelength shifts through the Doppler

effect. In the absence of other phenomenac capable of shifting the stellar lines or of modifying their profile, measured Doppler shifts are converted into radial (line-of-

sight) velocity variations (RV) and interpreted as the motion of the star due to an orbiting companion (planet, brown dwarf,or star). Thus, measuring the motion of the parent star along the line of sight gives informations about some orbital parameters and characteristics of the companion.