Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy

Abstract

The direct imaging method of exoplanet detection involves spatially separating the light of the host star and the extremely faint planet and is more sensitive to wide-separation planets compared to the transit and radial velocity methods. This method provides a promising avenue to fully define the outer extents of planetary systems and is also naturally suited to direct spectroscopy of planets for atmospheric characterisation. This chapter discusses the state-of-the-art, major questions, opportunities and challenges in direct imaging and spectroscopy of exoplanets.