There’s been a few interesting press releases and pictures lately of images of planets around other stars. Until now, we had no direct images of these planets. Two groups, one using HST, and one using Keck, have released pictures of planets orbiting other stars. In both cases, the central star was blocked using a coronagraph so it wouldn’t swamp the light from the planets.
Today’s Astronomy Picture of the Day has the image from Keck: APOD: 2008 November 17 – HR 8799: Discovery of a Multi-planet Star System
Several days ago, APOD had the HST image of planets in Fomalhaut b: APOD: 2008 November 14 – Fomalhaut b
Direct imaging of extrasolar planets has long been a goal, so these first results are exciting. However, it is important to note that these planets are large gas giants orbiting their stars at distances similar to the orbits Uranus and Neputne around our Sun (or farther!). Direct imaging of an earth-like planet, or direct imaging of a “hot Jupiter” in a tight orbit around another star will likely have to wait for improvements in imaging techniques, telescopes, or both.
