Direct Imaging of Multiple Planets Orbiting the Star HR 8799
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics · Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory · +6 more institutions
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 toward imaging Earth-like planets. Imaging detections are challenging because of 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…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 82.90
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 49
Authors
8- CMChristian MaroisCorresponding
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Lowell Observatory, National Research Council Canada, University of California, Berkeley
- BMBruce Macintosh
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Lowell Observatory, National Research Council Canada, University of California, Berkeley
- TBTravis Barman
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Lowell Observatory, National Research Council Canada, University of California, Berkeley
- BZB. Zuckerman
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Lowell Observatory, National Research Council Canada, University of California, Berkeley
- ISInseok Song
Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Lowell Observatory, National Research Council Canada, University of California, Berkeley
Topics & keywords
- Planet
- Physics
- Direct imaging
- Astronomy
- Jupiter (rocket family)
- Planetary system
- Luminosity
- Orbit (dynamics)