Question

an exoplanet is defined as a planet that orbits a star outside of our solar system. over 400 exoplanets have been discovered. some scientists have hypothesized that some of these exoplanets may contain life. how could current technology help determine if an exoplanet might be a suitable candidate for life? a. high - speed spacecraft could be sent to distant star systems and land on exoplanets to investigate their surfaces for life. b. high - powered, earth - based telescopes could see signs of life and city lights if advanced civilizations are present. c. highly - sensitive sound meters could record evidence of sound waves since exoplanets with life may produce slightly different kinds of wave energy. d. highly - sensitive instruments could detect exoplanets with earth - like orbits based on how much light from their parent stars is blocked.

Explanation:

A is not feasible due to current - tech limitations for long - distance space travel. B is incorrect as Earth - based telescopes are not powerful enough to see city lights on exoplanets. C is wrong because sound waves don't travel in space. D is correct as transit photometry (detecting starlight blockage) is a current method to find exoplanets and infer their characteristics related to habitability.

Answer:

D. Highly - sensitive instruments could detect exoplanets with Earth - like orbits based on how much light from their parent stars is blocked.