Astronomers image exoplanet orbiting its parent star for the first time

[pokerfan]

This picture is actually a composite of three separate observations. The outer part with the blue fuzzy stuff was observed in 1996, and I’ll get back to that in a sec. The good stuff is in the center: two images of the planet, called Beta Pic b, are superposed in the picture; it was observed in 2003 (left blob), then again in late 2009 (right blob). Observations taken just months before in 2008 and 2009 observation didn’t show the blob at all — it must have been too close to the star to be seen clearly — indicating this really is a planet orbiting the star, and not just some background object like a star or galaxy. In other words, astronomers have captured the motion of the planet as it physically moved from one side of the star to the other!

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/06/10/astronomers-see-exoplanet-orbiting-its-parent-star

[donco6]

1. Wonder how long before we can see Earth-sized planets?

It seems this is moving along so fast.

[qazplm]

2. look out your window!

(just kidding) :P

[donco6]

4. OK I asked for that one. LOL! n/t

[pokerfan]

3. Space.com has a thread

http://www.space.com/common/forums/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=23870&start=0

In short, probably not for a few more decades. As noted, we will be able to determine atmospheric composition (Oxygen!) of nearby exoplanets before we will be capable of directly imaging them.

[Myrina]

5. ... can they please send help?

... or at least a massive intergalactic space-bus for those of us who've had enough with the ridiculousness this planet has been taken over by?