Novel Telescope design Could Accelerate Search for Habitable Exoplanets
Geneva, Switzerland - September 1, 2025 – A uniquely shaped space telescope, departing from the traditional circular design, may substantially improve the detection of Earth-like planets orbiting distant stars, according to research published today in Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. The proposed rectangular telescope offers a more efficient method for blocking starlight, enhancing the ability to observe faint exoplanets and analyze their atmospheres for potential biosignatures.
The quest to identify a planet capable of supporting life – often dubbed “Earth 2.0″ – has long been hampered by the difficulty of discerning the dim light reflected by exoplanets from the overwhelming glare of their host stars. Current telescopes utilize coronagraphs to block starlight, but a rectangular aperture, researchers assert, provides a superior contrast and clearer images. This advancement could dramatically increase the number of promising candidates for follow-up study, potentially shortening the timeline for discovering a habitable world.
The study estimates that a rectangular telescope could identify approximately 30 potentially habitable planets around sun-like stars. Subsequent investigation of these planets could focus on atmospheric composition, specifically searching for gases like oxygen, which could indicate the presence of life generated through photosynthesis. For the most compelling candidates,a dedicated probe could eventually be deployed to capture direct images of the planetary surface.
Researchers detail their findings in “The Case for a Rectangular Format space Telescope for Finding Exoplanets” (DOI: 10.3389/fspas.2025.1441984). The findings represent a potentially pivotal step in the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life and offer a new architectural approach to telescope design.
