Photographing Planets

Direct imaging

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Separation in arcseconds = orbit size in AU ÷ distance in parsecs.
• Coronagraphs need the planet beyond a few λ/D, so big telescopes matter.
• Young, hot giants on wide orbits are the easiest to photograph.

Steps

1. A firefly next to a searchlight
2. A distant Jupiter
3. How big a telescope?
4. Why young giants?
5. In magnitudes
6. HR 8799