
Open access
Date
2021Type
- Journal Article
Citations
Cited 26 times in
Web of Science
Cited 21 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics
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. Show more
Permanent link
https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000472101Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Nature CommunicationsVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
Nature Publishing GroupOrganisational unit
09680 - Quanz, Sascha Patrick / Quanz, Sascha Patrick
More
Show all metadata
Citations
Cited 26 times in
Web of Science
Cited 21 times in
Scopus
ETH Bibliography
yes
Altmetrics