Back on track: New technique for observing faint companions

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The left side shows a raw image while the right side shows the result after the newly developed technique was applied. Thanks to this technique it is possible to study the faint AB Doradus C (about 100 times fainter than its host) once the contaminat ...
The left side shows a raw image, while the right side shows the result after the newly developed technique was applied. Thanks to this technique it is possible to study the faint AB Doradus C (about 100 times fainter than its host), once the contamination from the brighter AB Doradus A and the artefacts due to atmospheric turbulence are subtracted. AB Doradus is the closest faint companion ever detected by imaging. Credit: ESO

Observing the image of a faint object that lies close to a star is a demanding task as the object is generally hidden in the glare of the star. Characterising this object, by taking spectra, is an even harder challenge. Still, thanks to ingenious scientists and a new ESO imaging spectrograph, this is now feasible, paving the way to an eldorado of many new thrilling discoveries.


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