Question

Why is it so difficult to make a direct image of a planet around another star?

Answer 1

Direct imaging of planets around other stars is difficult due to the dimness of the planets compared to their parent stars and the possibility of confusion with brown dwarfs.

Step-by-step explanation:

Direct imaging of a planet around another star is difficult due to several reasons:

1. The planet is much dimmer than its parent star, making it challenging to distinguish the planet's light from the star's glare.
2. The planet's reflected light is a tiny fraction of the light emitted by the star, further decreasing its detectability.
3. There is a possibility of confusion between planets and brown dwarfs, which are failed stars with similar characteristics.

These factors make it challenging to make direct images of planets around other stars, and astronomers have relied on indirect observations to detect them.