A. Indirect detection methods are less reliable than direct observation when gathering data about planetary atmospheres
. OFS. This choice compares the reliability b/w direct and indirect method and doesn’t tell us why few exoplanets will produce consistently detectable signals. Eliminate.
B. There are no alternative methods of detecting reliable signal data from exoplanets other than through shifts in starlight distortions or gravitational wobbles. We already know from the premises that exoplanets must be identified using indirect methods if they are too far for direct observation. This choice doesn’t add any new info or tells us about what must’ve the author assumed for drawing the conclusion. Eliminate.
C. Reliable interpretation of signal-related data depends more on the characteristics of the host star than on the exoplanet itself. Does this option have to be true? The argument states that reliable data depends on the host star's patterns but not necessarily more on the star than the exoplanet. Eliminate.
D. Exoplanets orbiting stars with consistent emission patterns are less common than those orbiting stars with inconsistent emissions. This is what we needed. If this choice is true, it logically follows that only few exoplanets will produce consistently detectable signals via indirect methods. Correct.
E. Some exoplanets orbit stars with stable emissions but still fail to produce reliably detectable signals. This choice tells that even with stable stars, we might not be able to detect exoplanets located far-away from the Earth. This could be true but we don’t need this for our conclusion to hold true. Eliminate.
Option D
Bunuel
Most known exoplanets lie too far from Earth to be observed directly and must instead be identified using indirect detection methods, such as measuring starlight distortions or subtle gravitational wobbles. However, these methods can generate reliable signal data only if the planet’s host star emits light in stable and consistent patterns over time. Therefore, few exoplanets are likely to produce detectable signals that can be consistently detected unless they are close enough to Earth to be observed directly.
The conclusion above follows logically if which of the following is assumed?
A. Indirect detection methods are less reliable than direct observation when gathering data about planetary atmospheres.
B. There are no alternative methods of detecting reliable signal data from exoplanets other than through shifts in starlight distortions or gravitational wobbles
C. Reliable interpretation of signal-related data depends more on the characteristics of the host star than on the exoplanet itself.
D. Exoplanets orbiting stars with consistent emission patterns are less common than those orbiting stars with inconsistent emissions.
E. Some exoplanets orbit stars with stable emissions but still fail to produce reliably detectable signals.