Exoplanet Detection: Transit Timing Variations

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Welcome to this video where I discuss another method that can be used to detect exoplanets even if they do not transit their host star.

In a single planet system the time between each transit remains constant, and shows no variation. However, in planetary systems with more than one planet the time between each transit can vary. This occurs as the planets interact gravitationally with each other. An unseen exoplanet exerts a gravitational tug on the known transiting exoplanet. These variations in the timing of the transit can then be used to detect an exoplanet that might not transit the host star, or has yet to transit due to a very long orbital period.

This method is also very useful for calculating masses of the planet as more massive planets cause greater timing variatons.