Direct Imaging of Multiple Planets Orbiting the Star HR 8799
Abstract
Direct imaging of exoplanetary systems is a powerful technique that can reveal Jupiter-like planets in wide orbits, can enable detailed characterization of planetary atmospheres, and is a key step towards imaging Earth-like planets. Imaging detections are challenging due to the combined effect of small angular separation and large luminosity contrast between a planet and its host star. High-contrast observations with the Keck and Gemini telescopes have revealed three planets orbiting the star HR 8799, with projected separations of 24, 38, and 68 astronomical units. Multi-epoch data show counter-clockwise orbital motion for all three imaged planets. The low luminosity of the companions and the estimated age of the system imply planetary masses between 5 and 13 times that of Jupiter. This system resembles a scaled-up version of the outer portion of our Solar System.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0811.2606,
title = {Direct Imaging of Multiple Planets Orbiting the Star HR 8799},
author = {C. Marois and B. Macintosh and T. Barman and B. Zuckerman and I. Song and J. Patience and D. Lafreniere and R. Doyon},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0811.2606},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
30 pages, 5 figures, Research Article published online in Science Express Nov 13th, 2008