太阳系外行星研究进展

Advanced of the Extrasolar Planets

过去的二十年间,利用多种技术(如脉冲时间、径向速度、天文学观测、穿越光度计、反射光度计、微透镜和直接图像)发现了405个太阳系外行星。对这些太阳系外行星的研究首次提供了有关行星生长的信息,诸如星盘结构和演化,星盘性质和大小等。2009年4月对GJ581d行星的观测表明,这个行星处于"宜居区域"内,意味着它有液态水,因此可能有生命存在。

Over the past two decades, 405 exoplanets have been discovered by using multiple techniques （such as pulsar timing, radial velocity, astrometry, transit photometry, reflection photometry, microlensing, and direct Imaging）. Studies on these exoplanets have provided first-hand information about planetary growth, e.g. , structure and evolution of disk, properties and sizes of dust grain. New observations in April 2009 of GJ581d suggested that this planet is within the habitable zone where liquid water, and therefore, life may exist.