Imaging low-mass planets within the habitable zone of {\alpha} Centauri

TL;DR

This study introduces a ground-based mid-infrared imaging method capable of detecting low-mass, habitable-zone exoplanets around nearby stars like Alpha Centauri, achieving sensitivity far beyond current limits.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel mid-infrared imaging approach that significantly improves sensitivity to sub-Neptune-sized planets in the habitable zone of Alpha Centauri using existing telescopes.

Findings

Sensitivity to warm sub-Neptune-sized planets in Alpha Centauri A's habitable zone

Order of magnitude improvement over current exoplanet imaging limits

Potential detection of an exoplanet or exozodiacal disk around Alpha Centauri A

Abstract

Giant exoplanets on wide orbits have been directly imaged around young stars. If the thermal background in the mid-infrared can be mitigated, then exoplanets with lower masses can also be imaged. Here we present a ground-based mid-infrared observing approach that enables imaging low-mass temperate exoplanets around nearby stars, and in particular within the closest stellar system, Alpha Centauri. Based on 75-80% of the best quality images from 100 hours of cumulative observations, we demonstrate sensitivity to warm sub-Neptune-sized planets throughout much of the habitable zone of Alpha Centauri A. This is an order of magnitude more sensitive than state-of-the-art exoplanet imaging mass detection limits. We also discuss a possible exoplanet or exozodiacal disk detection around Alpha Centauri A. However, an instrumental artifact of unknown origin cannot be ruled out. These results demonstrate the feasibility of imaging rocky habitable-zone exoplanets with current and upcoming telescopes.