Illustrations how a star illuminates and heats the day side of a synchronously rotating planet, and the phenomena of transit and occultation (eclipse). (IMAGE)
Caption
This image illustrates how a star illuminates and heats the day side of a synchronously rotating planet, and the phenomena of transit and occultation (eclipse). The bottom of the figure shows the evolution of the measured flux as a function of the orbital phase of the planet. When the planet passes in front of the star, it hides part of it and the system appears less bright (transit). When the planet passes behind the star, its small contribution to the brightness of the system disappears (occultation/eclipse). Finally, the brightness of the system is modulated by the phase of the planet. If its day side is hotter than its night side, the system will appear brighter at a time close to occultation than at a time close to transit.
Credit
@ESA
Usage Restrictions
No restrictions.
License
Public Domain