Infrared detection of a planet next to a bright star

Humans have always dreamt about the possibility of existence of planets in solar systems other than our own. After flying by, dropping probes, and even landing devices on most planets within our own solar system, the search for extra-solar planet is included in every proposal to either build a larger and better earth-, space-, or moon-based telescope, or observatory facility. The preliminary analysis seems to indicate that wavelength band from 25 μm to 30 μm is most promising in solving this problem. A number of IR technological challenges are to be overcome before the actual detection system can even be considered in a detailed design. The significant technical challenges of finding a planet will be described. Then details are given on the feasibility of detecting a planet with an instrument concept designed specifically for this purpose, a space-based, rotating rotationally shearing interferometer.