Question

Do we currently utilize interferometry as a way for detecting planets in other solar systems?

Yes. Interferometry, the detection and study of infrared radiation (heat energy), is only one of several ways already used to detect extrasolar planets. Since the heat energy of a planet is hidden by the light of its star, interferometry is a perfect tool for detecting planets. Observing the universe with infrared eyes, the light of stars is dimmed while the light of the planets is brightened. Some of the most exciting discoveries in infrared astronomy have been the detection of possible planets around other stars. Recently, an infrared survey of the Trapezium star cluster in the Orion Nebula revealed over 100 brown dwarf candidates (brown dwarfs are failed stars about 8 times the size of Jupiter and have planet-like compositions). A good picture of the Trapezium cluster and further information can be found at http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap000331.html.

In the future of interferometry, SOFIA, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, will be the world’s largest and most advanced airplane-based observatory. Scheduled to fly in 2002, one of its goals will be the detection of extrasolar planets. For a good explanation of the science behind SOFIA, see http://www.sofia.arc.nasa.gov For further information about planet detection using infrared astronomy and other methods, see http://www.kepler.arc.nasa.gov/Capabilities.html or visit the sites of our affiliated centers for astrobiology at UCLA and the Carnegie Institute of Washington, at http://www.astrobiology.ucla.edu/ and http://www.ciw.edu/ In fact, NASA Science News just released an article about home computers and viewing the infrared sky. Check out http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2000/ast20jul_1.htm?list
October 29, 2001