First Direct Imaging of Tatooine-Style Exoplanet Orbiting Twin Stars
By
JPLeRouzic
Sesame, salt, and substance. A flagship bake.
Summary
The article discusses the first direct imaging of a Tatooine-style exoplanet orbiting twin stars, highlighting the significance of this achievement in exoplanet research. It focuses on the Gemini Planet Imager's capabilities in masking starlight to capture infrared photons from young, hot planets, making them more visible. The author expresses excitement about seeing actual images rather than just light curves of exoplanets.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledI jump at the chance to see actual images – as opposed to light curves – of exoplanets.
Thus recent news of a Tatooine-style planetary orbit around twin stars, and what is as far as I know the first actually imaged planet in this orbital configuration.
I'm reminded not for the first time of the virtues of the Gemini Planet Imager, so deft at masking starlight to catch a few photons from a young planet.
Youth is always a virtue when it comes to this kind of thing, because young planets are still hot and hence more visible in the infrared.
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