太阳系外行星的研究现状

Current research status of exoplariets

太阳系外行星探测是当今国际天文学研究的热点,其探测方法分为间接探测和直接成像。目前,已发现的上千颗系外行星主要是通过视向速度法和凌星法等间接方式探测到的,而直接成像技术将有望获取行星温度、大气等更全面的物理信息.其中,通过对类太阳恒星宜居带内的类地行星进行成像观测和大气光谱分析,将有望捕获太阳系外生命信号,进而解答"人类在宇宙中是否孤立?"这一基本科学问题,从而突破人类对生命的现有认识。因此,该领域的研究具有较高的公众关注度。

Exoplanets search is one of the hottest topics in modem astronomy. The detection method includes indirect detection and direct imaging. Currently, over 1 000 exoplanets have been confirmed mainly by the indirect detection method such as radial velocity. While the direct imaging study of an exoplanet will allow to characterize its important physical parameters such as the atmosphere and temperature. Furthermore, to study the atmosphere of an Earth-like exoplanet in the habitable zone of a solar type star by imaging and further spectroscopy analysis will allow us to confirm the Exo-life signal, which will help to finally answer ＂Are we alone in the universe？＂ , which is one of the most fundamental scientific questions. The research of Earth-like exoplanets will allow us to make a breakthrough on our current knowledge of life, which has been keeping a high attention rate in public domain.