How Common Are Long-Period Jupiters Around Massive Stars?
What fraction of massive stars host gas giants? Vigan et al. observe a sample of A and F stars to find out.
The Shape of Shade
Direct imaging of exoplanets is a tricky business, but with a well-designed starshade blocking the light of the exoplanet’s parent star, it could be much easier! But how do you choose the right design?
Fireflies in Starlight: Looking for Planets in the Sirius System
Is there a third companion in the Sirius system? Thalmann et al. conduct direct imaging observations to find out.
Modeling Exoplanets with Thick Cloud Layers
Planetary modelers have been particularly puzzled by some of the latest observations of the only multi-planet system that has been directly imaged so far, HR 8799. The photometry of the HR 8799 planets showed that these planets look much redder in color than can be explained by the classic brown dwarf models, suggesting a need for thick iron or silicate cloud layers in exoplanetary atmospheres.