Direct detection and atmospheric characterization of extrasolar planets in reflected starlight

Investigate the direct detection and atmospheric characterization of extrasolar planets in reflected starlight, particularly Neptune- and sub-Neptune-sized planets whose reflected-light signatures are exceptionally difficult to observe.

Background

The proposed Planetary Camera and Spectrograph (PCS) is intended to address a recognized open question in modern astrophysics: obtaining direct detections and atmospheric characterizations of extrasolar planets using reflected starlight. The problem is especially challenging for Neptune- and sub-Neptune-sized planets because their reflected-light signals are substantially fainter than those of self-luminous giant planets. PCS is presented as a future observational instrument designed to improve access to this unresolved scientific problem through high-contrast imaging and spectroscopy on the Extremely Large Telescope.

References

PCS is designed to address one of the open questions in modern astrophysics: the direct detection and atmospheric characterisation of extrasolar planets in reflected starlight.

— Development of an adaptive optics testbed at MPIA for the ELT/Planetary Camera and Spectrograph (PCS)  (2608.23148 - Pourcelot et al., 24 Aug 2026) in Section 2, Subsection “Science Case”