Toward the Direct Detection of Extrasolar Giant Planets

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How do the planets form? What is the origin of our solar system? Is it unique? In order to answer these questions, it is not enough to study our solar system alone and we need to detect and characterize planetary systems outside our solar system. Encouraged with the recent INDIRECT discoveries of extrasolar planets, the next step should be their DIRECT detection. The aim of this research is the development of a stellar-coronagraph combined with the adaptive optics and its application to the direct detection of giant planets. It is also aimed to conduct infrared surveys in order to detect unique targets for extrasolar planets detection.We have successfully completed the instrument development and its first light has been obtained at the telescope. Our infrared surveys in star forming regions have brought a serendipitous discovery of a number of young brown dwarfs and even isolated free-floating planets. Both instrument development and the scientific results have been published in the literatures as well as being introduced in major newspapers.