David Lafrenière archive

Hidden planet discovered in old Hubble data - Apr 3, 2009 - 9:55 am

New image processing technique subtracts glare

Illustration of planet HR8799b. Image: NASA, ESA, G. Bacon (STScI)

A new technique has uncovered an extrasolar planet hidden in Hubble Space Telescope images taken 11 years ago. continue

Is that a planet circling 1RXS J160929.1-210524? - Sep 22, 2008 - 9:44 am

The world pays attention when U of T makes a discovery

Ray Jayawardhana. Photo: Joe Toreno

When it comes to firing the human imagination, space surely provides the biggest bang with its impossible black vastness, its untouchable sparkly bits, its unknown goings-on. continue

Photo may reveal planet orbiting sun-like star - Sep 15, 2008 - 1:55 pm

U of T astronomers photograph star

Gemini adaptive optics image, taken in infrared light, of 1RSX J160929.1-210524 and its likely ~8 Jupiter-mass companion (within red circle). All images obtained with the Gemini Altair adaptive optics system and the Near-Infrared Imager (NIRI) on the Gemini North telescope. Credit: Gemini Observatory

Astronomers have taken what may the first picture of a planet orbiting a star similar to the sun. continue