The Search for Extrasolar Earth-like planets

Abstract

The search for extrasolar Earth-like planets is underway. Over 100 extrasolar giant planets are known to orbit nearby sun-like stars, including several in multiple-planet systems. These planetary systems are stepping stones for the search for Earth-like planets; the technology development, observational strategies, and science results can all be applied to Earth-like planets. Stars much less massive than the sun the most common stars in our Galaxy are being monitored for the gravitational influence of Earth-like planets. Although Earth-like planets orbiting sun-like stars are much more difficult to detect, space missions are being built to detect them indirectly due to their effects on the parent star and to quantify fundamental factors such as terrestrial planet frequency, size distribution, and mass distribution. Extremely ambitious space programs are being developed to directly detect Earth-like planets orbiting sun-like stars, and must tackle the immense technological challenge of blocking out the light of the parent star, which is brighter than the planet by six to ten orders of magnitude. Direct detection of radiation from the planet is necessary for the definitive goal of the search for Earth-like planets: the study of atmospheric spectral signatures for signs of severe disequilibrium chemistry that could be indicative of biological activity. In addition to technological development, a growing flurry of scientific activity has begun to: understand terrestrial planet formation and terrestrial planet frequency; model terrestrial-like planet atmospheres and evolution; articulate the biological signatures of our own Earth; and even to study Earth as an extrasolar planet by observation and analysis of the spatially unresolved Earth.