New exoplanet survey method finds high rates of closely orbiting planets

Up until now, exoplanet surveys have mostly focused on nearby, bright stars that are sun-like or are red dwarfs, which are known to frequently host planets. While astronomers have discovered thousands of planets this way, a new study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, seems to have found a more efficient way of detecting planets that orbit close to their stars. Up until now, exoplanet surveys have mostly focused on nearby, bright stars that are sun-like or are red dwarfs, which are known to frequently host planets. While astronomers have discovered thousands of planets this way, a new study, published in th... [3670 chars]