The field of extrasolar planets has exploded over the last couple decades, providing an entirely new suite of information on planetary systems in general and perspective on our own solar system in particular. One of the most exciting advances came when astronomers were at last able to see a few of these planets directly. Even those who maintain “I’ll believe it when I see it” now have visual proof that our solar system is not alone in the universe. However, science advances rapidly, and the discoveries announced only a few years ago are already ripe for an update. Revisiting three direct detections provides confirmation, archival data, and some spirited scientific discussion.
“Hubble’s Universe” is a recurring broadcast from HubbleSite, online home of the Hubble Space Telescope. Astrophysicist Frank Summers takes viewers on an in-depth tour of the latest Hubble discoveries.
Find more episodes at HubbleSite.org.
http://hubblesite.org/explore_astronomy/hubbles_universe_unfiltered
Related Links:
Hubble Directly Observes Planet Orbiting Fomalhaut
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2008/39/
Hubble Reveals Rogue Planetary Orbit for Fomalhaut b
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2013/01/
Hubble Finds Hidden Exoplanet in Archival Data
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2009/15/
Astronomers Find Elusive Planets in Decade-Old Hubble Data
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2011/29/
Also see our previous Hubble’s Universe Video on this topic, “Eye Spy A Planet”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsPaucWacEo