Method for enhanced detection of faint targets in systems employing an external occulter

An apparatus, comprising:

• a rotateable occulter disposed between a star having at least one planet and a light detector from the star and the planet;
• the rotateable occulter having a plurality of petals;
• and
• wherein on axis light from the star is substantially blocked, and wherein light from the planet that oscillates due to changing azimuthal orientation, is synchronized to orientation of the occulter, therefore allowing off-axis light from the planet to be seen by the light detector.

A method comprising the steps of:

• locating a rotateable occulter between a star having at least one planet and a light detector that detects light from the star and the planet, the rotateable occulter having a central circular obscuration, and a plurality of hypergaussian-shaped petals that are located around the central circular obscuration;
• and
• substantially blocking on axis light from the star with the central circular obscuration;
• rotating the occulter such that light from the planet oscillates due to changing azimuthal orientation;
• synchronizing the light from the planet to orientation of the occulter;
• and
• detecting off-axis light from the planet.