Can we see exoplanets in other galaxies?

Is it possible to see exoplanets in other galaxies? So far it sounds like we can only see planets in our own galaxy? Is this true?

We're still having much troubles seeing planets in our own galaxy. We actually can't even distinguich one star from the other in the other galaxies I believe.

It is possible to detect them, yes.

Look at this article from last year about the possible detection of the first extra galactic exoplanet, fascinating stuff.

www.newscientist.com...

As for seeing them, as in, getting a picture of them? I can't see that being possible until we send a probe nearer to do it for us. Although I might be wrong!

Remember that the closest galaxy to ours is the Andromeda galaxy which is around 2.7 million light years away, so when the light reaches us, it's very faint and very old.



[edit on 29-1-2010 by Chonx]

In a nutshell, no. As others have said we have trouble trying to find planets in our own galaxy, much less another one. And if we are that good to see a planet that far in another galaxy, it should be hard at all to see planets and even it's composition in the 64,000 odd stars that are within 100 lightyears of us.

There is no reason why not.

But I think it will take our technology to advance at least 100 million years further. (Give or take a few dozen million years).

So it is extremely remote and distant.

Like other posters pointed out, we are having trouble identifying local neighbors right now. This is way off in the future.

But yes, it is possible there is no law of physics I am aware of that prevents such a capability.

If anyone knows of a law that prevents this possibility, please indulge us.

As for seeing them, as in, getting a picture of them? I can't see that being possible until we send a probe nearer to do it for us. Although I might be wrong!......................

well eventually when our galaxies start to collide we'll be able to see them! if humanity makes it that long

reply to post by Totalstranger


Ha! I was just thinking that!

Now we just have to sit around for 2 billion years and wait for it to come to us!

[edit on 29-1-2010 by Chonx]

Originally posted by Chonx
Remember that the closest galaxy to ours is the Andromeda galaxy which is around 2.7 million light years away, so when the light reaches us.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, however there are many closer galaxies than Andromeda (at least 14); most of them of course are satellite galaxies such as the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal and Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy however recent evidence suggests that the Large Magellanic Cloud is not a satellite of the Milky Way and may just be "passing by".

We have pictures, search google they are out there.
I think better tech in this field is gonna lead to many more planets and pictures.

I dont think so,we cant even see the planets in our own galaxy.
We have to look at the Star to see if it wobbles or dimms when it passes in front.

reply to post by sonicology


Of course, you are correct. I was just simplifying things. Andromeda is the closest large spiral galaxy similar in structure to our own.

The Canis major dwarf galaxy is technically the closest to us at 25,000 light years from our solar system but come on, it only contains a billion stars!

reply to post by sunspot0


I think, a few monthes ago or something like that, that we managed to get the very first real picture of a planet. Ok, it was just a bunch of bright pixels, but eh, that's still that !
Anyway, we'll be able to see other planets for real in a few years / decades.

reply to post by Jalis


and here it is!

i.space.com...

The little dot in the upper left is thought to be a planet 8 times the mass of Jupiter!

[edit on 30-1-2010 by Chonx]

Originally posted by muzzleflash
There is no reason why not.

But I think it will take our technology to advance at least 100 million years further. (Give or take a few dozen million years).

100 million years is a bit much

I really doubt humans (or anything remotely human-like) will even be around in 100 million years. 100 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed our planet, and the ancestors of humans looked like mice and shrews.

I think we will be able to do it much sooner. Probably within 1000 years (or even less). Look how far we advanced in the past 1000 years.

[edit on 1/30/2010 by Soylent Green Is People]