Direct imaging of planetary systems around nearby stars

It is shown that by utilizing a space-borne telescope it may be possible to directly image planetary systems around the nearest stars. Direct imaging, while limited to the nearest stars, would provide a great deal of information on the planet, over and above the planet's orbital elements - estimates of the planet's size and rotation rate, and the presence or absence of an atmosphere are all possible if light from the planet can be separated from light from the star. It is shown that a Jupiter-like planet would be detectable around several of the nearest stars.