1DESPA, Observatoire de Meudon, 5 place Jules Janssen
92195 Meudon, France,
Boccalet@despa.obspm.fr
2Collège de France
& Observatoire de Haute Provence
04870 Saint Michel l'Observatoire, France
Labeyrie@.obs-hp.fr
3Astronomical Observatory of Padova, vicolo
del'Observatorio 5
I-35122 Padova, Italy
Ragazzoni@astrpd.pd.astro.it
The dark-speckle method ([Labeyrie 1995]) combines features of speckle interferometry and adaptive optics to provide images of faint circumstellar material. We present preliminary results of observations, and simulations concluding to the feasibility of exo-planet imaging from the ground. Laboratory simulations with an avalanche photodiode indicate the detectability of a stellar companion of relative intensity 10-6 at 5 Airy radii from the star. New, more general, expressions for the signal-to-noise ratio and integration time are given. Comparisons with direct long-exposure imaging indicate that the method improves the detectability of circumstellar nebulosity, faint companions and planets.
Keywords: planetary systems - brown dwarfs - techniques: interferometric - binaries: close - stars: HD144217