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Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves
Published on: May 10, 2020
Direct imaging and astrometric detection of a gas giant planet orbiting an accelerating star
Thayne Currie1,2,3, G Mirek Brandt4, Timothy D Brandt4
1Subaru Telescope, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Hilo, HI 96720, USA.
Abstract:
Direct imaging of gas giant exoplanets provides information on their atmospheres and the architectures of planetary systems. However, few planets have been detected in blind surveys with direct imaging. Using astrometry from the Gaia and Hipparcos spacecraft, we identified dynamical evidence for a gas giant planet around the nearby star HIP 99770. We confirmed the detection of this planet with direct imaging using the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics instrument. The planet, HIP 99770 b, orbits 17 astronomical units from its host star, receiving an amount of light similar to that reaching Jupiter. Its dynamical mass is 13.9 to 16.1 Jupiter masses. The planet-to-star mass ratio [(7 to 8) × 10-3] is similar to that of other directly imaged planets. The planet's atmospheric spectrum indicates an older, less cloudy analog of the previously imaged exoplanets around HR 8799.
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