Characterizing the atmosphere of Proxima b with a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer

Exoplanet; Habitable; Infrared imaging; Nulling; Proxima b; Proxima Cen; Atmospheric structure; Climate models; Extrasolar planets; Infrared devices; Interferometers; Interferometry; Stars; Atmospheric molecules; Nulling interferometer; Space-based infrared; Technological challenges; Thermography (imaging)

Abstract :

[en] Proxima b is our nearest potentially rocky exoplanet and represents a formidable opportunity for exoplanet science and possibly astrobiology. With an angular separation of only 35 mas (or 0.05 AU) from its host star, Proxima b is however hardly observable with current imaging telescopes and future space-based coronagraphs. One way to separate the photons of the planet from those of its host star is to use an interferometer that can easily resolve such spatial scales. In addition, its proximity to Earth and its favorable contrast ratio compared with its host M dwarf (approximately 10-5 at 10 microns) makes it an ideal target for a space-based nulling interferometer with relatively small apertures. In this paper, we present the motivation for observing this planet in the mid-infrared (5-20 microns) and the corresponding technological challenges. Then, we describe the concept of a space-based infrared interferometer with relatively small (<1m in diameter) apertures that can measure key details of Proxima b, such as its size, temperature, climate structure, as well as the presence of important atmospheric molecules such as H2O, CO2, O3, and CH4. Finally, we illustrate the concept by showing realistic observations using synthetic spectra of Proxima b computed with coupled climate chemistry models. © 2018 SPIE.

Disciplines :

Space science, astronomy & astrophysics

Author, co-author :

Defrere, Denis ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > ISSPSILAB

Léger, A.; Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Université de Paris-Sud, Orsay, France

Absil, Olivier ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > ISSPSILAB

Garcia Munoz, A.; Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Grenfell, J. L.; Institute for Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center, Berlin, Germany

Godolt, M.; Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Loicq, Jerôme ; Université de Liège - ULiège > CSL (Centre Spatial de Liège)

Kammerer, J.; Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2611, Australia

Quanz, S.; Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics, Zurich, Switzerland

Rauer, H.; Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, Université de Paris-Sud, Orsay, France

More authors (6 more)

Language :

English

Title :

Characterizing the atmosphere of Proxima b with a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer

Publication date :

09 July 2018

Event name :

2018 Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VI

Event date :

11 June 2018 through 15 June 2018

Audience :

International

Journal title :

Proceedings of SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering

ISSN :

0277-786X

eISSN :

1996-756X

Publisher :

International Society for Optical Engineering

Volume :

10701

Additional URL :

https://arxiv.org/pdf/1807.09996.pdf

Name of the research project :

Giant Magellan Telescope

Funders :

4D Technology
ACE - Astronomical Consultants & Equipment, Inc
Andor Technology
SPIE - International Society for Optics and Photonics

Commentary :

138926 9781510619555

Available on ORBi :

since 17 October 2018

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