The above image is a collection of simulated pictures. Kepler looks for the slight, regular dimming of a star as a planet passes over it. The images shown actually show the silhouette of a passing planet, rather than Kepler seeing a slightly dimmer dot. Some of the pictured stars actually have more than planet passing their star, including one with three worlds, 3rd row, fourth down. Our sun is shown for comparison under the first row of stars. What confuses me is the Blue stars among the larger crowd. I though Blue giants were at least 8 times the mass of the sun, but they don't appear that much bigger, especially the blue stars in the second column. Also, I blame no one if they say the first star in the first column looks like an upside-down Pacman. Actually, speaking of that Star, it's planet looks like it's almost as big as the sun if these are to scale. Could it be a binary companion? the mythic black dwarf if it's not giving off light? Or is it just one truly massive planet?
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