The Doppler Effect and Stellar Companions

Subjet :

How can we determine the semi-major axis ^? of an exoplanet orbiting its star using the Doppler-Fizeau effect?

Grade level(s) : High School, Senior Year, Physics and Chemistry Track

Prerequisites :

• Methods for Detecting Exoplanets : radial velocity
• Doppler effect
• Kepler laws
• Gravity
• Centre of gravity
• Light or the electromagnetic spectrum
• Sinusoids

Objectives :

• Understand the Doppler-Fizeau effect
• Rewrite a literal formula
• Perform a numerical calculation using international units

Materials needed:

• 1 set of photocopied sodium line spectra per student
• 1 ruler
• 1 spreadsheet program
• 1 calculator
• Or Regressi analysis software (available for free https://regressi.fr.softonic.com/)

Subject, annexes and answers :

• Subject : In Search Of An Exoplanet
• Annexe1 : 11 Sodium line spectra
• Annexe 2 : Snoopy and his croissants Comic Strip
• Annexe 3 : CRG File
• Annexe 4 : rw3 file
• Answers

Author: Valérie Donius, Physics and Chemistry Teacher - Lycée polyvalent Marlioz - Aix les Bains, France