An Introduction to High Contrast Differential Imaging of Exoplanets and Disks

TL;DR

This tutorial introduces high-contrast imaging techniques used in astronomy to detect and analyze faint exoplanets and disks near bright stars, covering terminology, methods, and data analysis strategies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview for newcomers, detailing the observational and data reduction techniques specific to high-contrast imaging of exoplanets and disks.

Findings

Overview of high-contrast imaging techniques

Guidelines for data reduction and analysis

Summary of observational considerations

Abstract

This tutorial is an introduction to High-Contrast Imaging, a technique that enables astronomers to isolate light from faint planets and/or circumstellar disks that would otherwise be lost amidst the light of their host stars. Although technically challenging, high-contrast imaging allows for direct characterization of the properties of detected circumstellar sources. The intent of the article is to provide newcomers to the field a general overview of the terminology, observational considerations, data reduction strategies, and analysis techniques high-contrast imagers employ to identify, vet, and characterize planet and disk candidates.