2021/02/10 by K. Wagner, A. Boehle, P. Pathak +39 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astro and Planetary Science
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s41467-021-21176-6
openalex publication_date 2021/02/10 · openalex created_date 2021/02/15 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
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.