New 51 Pegasi b Fellow Ushers in Ultraviolet Metasurface Optics for Exoplanet Imaging
This piece explores a breakthrough at UC Santa Barbara. A physicist there has just been named a 2026 51 Pegasi b Fellow and will advance ultraviolet-enabled coronagraphy for exoplanet imaging at UCLA.
The research aims to close a critical gap in detecting biosignatures on distant worlds. It does this by leveraging metasurface optics that could someday power NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory.
Skyler Palatnick, a UC Santa Barbara doctoral candidate in physics, joins a cohort of eight as part of the Heising-Simons Foundation’s Science program. He’s supported for three years to pursue theoretical, observational, and experimental planetary astronomy.
His focus is on extending coronagraph technology into ultraviolet wavelengths—a spectral window where traditional masks fall short. By combining ultraviolet-capable optics with established tech, Palatnick wants to create lightweight, compact optics for space-based observatories like NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory.
This could open up new ways to detect chemical signatures linked to life on exoplanets. At the core of his project is a transformative approach: metasurfaces.
These nanostructured silicon devices are made of billions of tiny posts that precisely manipulate starlight. By programming the posts in different sizes and patterns, metasurfaces can steer starlight away from the image center and create the deep darkness needed to spot faint planets beside bright stars.
Unlike conventional liquid-crystal coronagraph masks, metasurfaces promise lower cost, faster fabrication, and easier iteration within academic settings. That speeds up instrument development in a big way.
Palatnick’s advisor, Assistant Professor Max Millar-Blanchaer, says his student is opening a new research field in metasurface optics. He really believes the technology could help uncover new exoplanets.
This work is interdisciplinary by design. Palatnick’s background spans journalism, astrophysics, and a master’s in nanotechnology engineering.
That broad skill set shapes how he builds next-generation astronomical instruments. Honestly, his mix of communication, science, and engineering makes it easier to turn complex optical ideas into practical tools for space.
Why metasurfaces could redefine exoplanet imaging
The metasurface approach is pretty different from traditional liquid-crystal masks. It offers a modular, scalable way to suppress starlight and actually image a planet.
In practice, the posts act like a programmable optical lattice. Teams can tailor them for specific telescope apertures and mission needs.
- Cost efficiency and manufacturability, so university teams can prototype more easily.
- Rapid iteration cycles, letting researchers test, tweak, and optimize designs on campus instead of waiting for industrial fabrication.
- Weight and form-factor reductions, which matter a ton for space missions where every kilogram counts.
- Spectral tunability to cover a range of wavelengths, including the ultraviolet band that’s key for some biosignature detection.
Palatnick’s work leans into a practical design philosophy. He wants metasurfaces to complement, not replace, conventional optical pieces.
This approach makes it simpler to integrate with current coronagraph tech. It could lead to lighter, more versatile instruments that researchers can iterate on in university labs and, eventually, launch on flagship missions.
Ultraviolet wavelengths: unlocking new biosignature pathways
Extending coronagraphs into the ultraviolet fills a big gap in exoplanet science. Ultraviolet observations can reveal chemical species and processes that visible wavelengths just can’t catch.
That means scientists get access to a richer catalog of biosignatures. When paired with future missions like the Habitable Worlds Observatory, ultraviolet-capable optics could help us better assess planetary atmospheres, surface processes, and maybe even find signs of life.
Palatnick’s research sits at a pivotal moment—pushing instruments into the UV while staying aligned with NASA’s long-range goals for finding habitable worlds. As he continues his fellowship at UCLA, his multidisciplinary background and mentorship with Millar-Blanchaer put him in a strong position to influence both the design of future coronagraphs and the science strategies for the next generation of exoplanet missions.
What this means for the field and future missions
The Palatnick project shows how university-led teams can push instrument technology forward in the exoplanet community. That’s not just theory—it’s a practical framework.
- Accelerated innovation cycles for coronagraph components, thanks to metasurface fabrication right on campus.
- Expanded spectral access into the ultraviolet, which could open new ways to spot biosignatures.
- Strengthened collaboration between academic groups and NASA teams, keeping research in sync with what missions really need.
I’ve watched planetary science infrastructure evolve, and honestly, this approach feels like a solid blueprint for turning big ideas into real instruments. Mixing metasurface optics with ultraviolet capabilities—that’s a combination that could seriously influence the next generation of exoplanet observatories. And maybe, just maybe, it’ll help us get closer to understanding life beyond Earth.
Here is the source article for this story: Designing lightweight optics to detect signs of life beyond our solar system