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Imaging low-mass planets within the habitable zone of α Centauri

Author

Listed:
  • K. Wagner

    (University of Arizona
    Earths in Other Solar Systems Team)

  • A. Boehle

    (Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics, ETH Zurich)

  • P. Pathak

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • M. Kasper

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • R. Arsenault

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • G. Jakob

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • U. Käufl

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • S. Leveratto

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • A.-L. Maire

    (STAR Institute, Université de Liège)

  • E. Pantin

    (Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité)

  • R. Siebenmorgen

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • G. Zins

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • O. Absil

    (STAR Institute, Université de Liège)

  • N. Ageorges

    (Kampf Telescope Optics)

  • D. Apai

    (University of Arizona
    Earths in Other Solar Systems Team
    University of Arizona)

  • A. Carlotti

    (Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IPAG)

  • É. Choquet

    (Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CNES, LAM)

  • C. Delacroix

    (STAR Institute, Université de Liège)

  • K. Dohlen

    (Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CNES, LAM)

  • P. Duhoux

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • P. Forsberg

    (Uppsala University)

  • E. Fuenteseca

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • S. Gutruf

    (Kampf Telescope Optics)

  • O. Guyon

    (University of Arizona
    Subaru Telescope, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS)
    The Breakthrough Initiatives, NASA Research Park
    James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona)

  • E. Huby

    (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris)

  • D. Kampf

    (Kampf Telescope Optics)

  • M. Karlsson

    (Uppsala University)

  • P. Kervella

    (LESIA, Observatoire de Paris)

  • J.-P. Kirchbauer

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • P. Klupar

    (The Breakthrough Initiatives, NASA Research Park)

  • J. Kolb

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • D. Mawet

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • M. N’Diaye

    (Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange)

  • G. Orban de Xivry

    (STAR Institute, Université de Liège)

  • S. P. Quanz

    (Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics, ETH Zurich)

  • A. Reutlinger

    (Kampf Telescope Optics)

  • G. Ruane

    (California Institute of Technology
    California Institute of Technology)

  • M. Riquelme

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • C. Soenke

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • M. Sterzik

    (European Southern Observatory)

  • A. Vigan

    (Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CNES, LAM)

  • T. de Zeeuw

    (European Southern Observatory
    Leiden University
    Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics)

Abstract

Giant exoplanets on wide orbits have been directly imaged around young stars. If the thermal background in the mid-infrared can be mitigated, then exoplanets with lower masses can also be imaged. Here we present a ground-based mid-infrared observing approach that enables imaging low-mass temperate exoplanets around nearby stars, and in particular within the closest stellar system, α Centauri. Based on 75–80% of the best quality images from 100 h of cumulative observations, we demonstrate sensitivity to warm sub-Neptune-sized planets throughout much of the habitable zone of α Centauri A. This is an order of magnitude more sensitive than state-of-the-art exoplanet imaging mass detection limits. We also discuss a possible exoplanet or exozodiacal disk detection around α Centauri A. However, an instrumental artifact of unknown origin cannot be ruled out. These results demonstrate the feasibility of imaging rocky habitable-zone exoplanets with current and upcoming telescopes.

Suggested Citation

  • K. Wagner & A. Boehle & P. Pathak & M. Kasper & R. Arsenault & G. Jakob & U. Käufl & S. Leveratto & A.-L. Maire & E. Pantin & R. Siebenmorgen & G. Zins & O. Absil & N. Ageorges & D. Apai & A. Carlotti, 2021. "Imaging low-mass planets within the habitable zone of α Centauri," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-21176-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21176-6
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