Here is a bit more background on this new apparatus.  The main challenge in detecting exoplanets is the brightness of a star making them diffucult to find.

A new type of exoplanet finder comes on line in the next year. Working with the giant telescopes of the Chilean outback, the Very Large Telescope on Mt Paranal, it will distinguish the polarized light of planet atmospheres from the light of their parent stars. This new planet detection system offers an ingenious new way to tease out the light of a planet with the overwhelming brightness of a star. Adapted from EsoCast, with Dr. J.

What do you think?  Is this the future in the search for exoplanets and extraterrestrials?  Feel free to comment with any of your thoughts.  This one could be significant!