Abstract

Direct imaging and spectroscopy of exoplanets is key to studying their formation, evolution, atmosphere, and – for Earth-sized planets – remotely detect biological activity. Such observations are extremely challenging, requiring systems optimized for high contrast imaging to be deployed on the largest telescopes. Thanks to recent advances in adaptive optics, optical coronagraphy and image processing, current 8m-class telescopes are now imaging Jupiter-size planets and observing planetary formation processes. Potentially habitable Earth-like planets will be studied with upcoming 30-m class telescopes.

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