What is the name given to the phenomenon where a planet passes in front of a star?
Transit
The transit is a captivating astronomical phenomenon where a planet passes in front of its star, as seen from Earth, causing a slight decrease in the star's brightness. This method has been used to discover thousands of exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system, by analyzing variations in starlight. Transits of Mercury and Venus in front of the Sun are rare but observable events from Earth, offering unique opportunities for scientists to study the atmosphere of these planets.
