A comparison of alternative methods for detecting other planetary systems

Abstract

Independent methods considered for use in the direct or indirect detection of extrasolar planetary systems are compared. Consideration is given to the principles, advantages and disadvantages of indirect astrometric, spectroscopic and photometric methods, and the direct detection of the intrinsic thermal radiation, reflected central star radiation or intrinsic nonthermal radiation of a planet. The importance of a redundance of detection methods as well as instrumentation within a given method is pointed out.