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Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves
Published on: May 10, 2020
Doppler spectroscopy as a path to the detection of Earth-like planets
Michel Mayor1, Christophe Lovis1, Nuno C Santos2
1Geneva Observatory, University of Geneva, 51 Chemin des Maillettes, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Doppler spectroscopy was the first technique used to reveal the existence of extrasolar planetary systems hosted by solar-type stars. Radial-velocity surveys led to the detection of a rich population of super-Earths and Neptune-type planets. The numerous detected systems revealed a remarkable diversity. Combining Doppler measurements with photometric observations of planets transiting their host stars further provides access to the planet bulk density, a first step towards comparative exoplanetology. The development of new high-precision spectrographs and space-based facilities will ultimately lead us to characterize rocky planets in the habitable zone of our close stellar neighbours.
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