Designing new telescope optics to find new Earths

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/SpaceTechOpticsBelikov.html

          NASA is currently developing more advanced coronagraphs that will better allow for direct imaging of planets around its host star. A coronagraph works by blocking out the light from the host star so that the stars luminosity does not overpower any light from the planet. However, there is still a glare left from the host star that makes the image of the planet a less desirable one. The technology that NASA is developing will better block the host stars light. They are also testing non-spherical lenses that better reduce the left over glare. The lenses have the property that they concentrate the left over light from the host star into a much smaller spot which in effect does not appreciably disturb the light from the planet. NASA also plans to use adaptive optics with these more advanced coronagraphs to get the most clear direct image of planets we have. There are plans to use this technology on a smaller telescope first and to look for larger Jupiter like planets because they are much easier to find and image since they are larger and may be found further away from the host star. Then, with this technology perfected, it will be used with much larger telescopes. When this happens the hunt for exo-Earths will begin. With this precious light from the exo-planets we can begin to do spectroscopic analysis of the planets. This will allow us to detect certain key light signatures of important molecules for life such as water and methane in the atmospheres of these Earth like planets. NASA says they expect to have data on virtually all planets in the habitable zone for the nearest hundreds of stars to us by 2030.