Why couldn't astronomers detect these planets before?

Astronomers struggled to detect certain exoplanets in the past due to limitations in observational technology and methods. Many planets are obscured by the brightness of their host stars, making them difficult to see directly. Additionally, earlier detection techniques, such as radial velocity and transit methods, were less sensitive to smaller planets or those in distant orbits. Advances in telescope technology and observational techniques, such as improved imaging and space-based instruments, have since enhanced our ability to identify and study these elusive planets.