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Astronomers Develop Method For Detecting Faint Exoplanets

Posted by Soulskill on from the blinded-by-the-light dept.

SGDK664 writes "The University of Arizona's astronomers have developed a way to see faint planets previously hidden by the overwhelming light output of the star they orbit (abstract). At the core of the system is a small piece of glass with a highly complex pattern inscribed into its surface. Called an Apodizing Phase Plate, or APP, the device blocks out the starlight in a very defined way, allowing planets to show up in the image whose signals were previously drowned out by the star's glare. The breakthrough, which may allow observers to even block out starlight completely with further refinements, was made possible through highly complex mathematical modeling. If you're trying to find something that is thousands or a million times fainter than the star, dealing with the halo is a big challenge."

3 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Nothing new here ... by CarpetShark · · Score: 4, Funny

    Since Galileo's fleshy thumb is no longer available, we've had to find another solution.

  2. let's build more aircraft carriers, instead by gaspar+ilom · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If this technology were combined with a space-based infrared-interferometer, we could be detecting the chemical signatures of life around hundreds of nearby star systems -- and resolving continents on many more planets -- possibly, before extraterrestrial microbial life is definitively proven to exist in our own solar system.

    • an interferometer can destructively cancel light from the central star, allowing planets to be more clearly resolved
    • the difference in brightness between the central star, and objects orbiting it, is less in the infrared spectrum
  3. Re:we need better science! by sunspot42 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oh, c'mon! That was a good comeback! "Redundant"? Humorless troll.

    Back in the mid-'80s my Junior year English teacher told me a great anecdote about a time she'd volunteered to man the phones at the local PBS station's annual pledge drive. It was a bunch of teachers and former teachers working the phones that night, including one retired octogenarian schoolmarm who looked pretty frail (who wouldn't be worn out after decades in the classroom?).

    Anyhow, some smartass called into the station and got routed to this poor elderly lady. He immediately blurted out, "I'd like to donate my cock!" Without missing a beat, the old woman replied, "I'm sorry sir, we don't accept small donations," and hung up the phone.

    I've always hoped he got to see on his tee vee which operator delivered that burn.

    Old schoolteachers - don't try to pull anything on them, because they've heard it all.