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Imaging low-mass planets within the habitable zones of nearby stars with ground-based mid-infrared imaging
Wagner, Kevin; Ertel, Steve; Stone, Jordan et al.
2021In Shaklan, S.; Ruane, G. (Eds.) Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets X
Editorial reviewed
 

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Keywords :
Adaptive Optics; Alpha Centauri; Coronagraphic Imaging; Exoplanets; Ground-based Astronomy; High-contrast Imaging; Infrared Astronomy; mid-IR Imaging; Coronagraphic imaging; Exo-planets; Ground based; Ground-based astronomy; High contrast imaging; IR-imaging; Low-mass; Mid-IR imaging; Very large telescope; Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Computer Science Applications; Applied Mathematics; Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Abstract :
[en] Giant exoplanets on 10-100 au orbits have been directly imaged around young stars. The peak of the thermal emission from these warm young planets is in the near-infrared (a1/41-5 μm), whereas mature, temperate exoplanets (i.e., those within their stars' habitable zones) radiate primarily in the mid-infrared (mid-IR: A1/410 μm). If the background noise in the mid-IR can be mitigated, then exoplanets with low masses-including rocky exoplanets-can potentially be imaged in very deep exposures. Here, we review the recent results of the Breakthrough Watch/New Earths in the Alpha Centauri Region (NEAR) program on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile. NEAR pioneered a ground-based mid-IR observing approach designed to push the capabilities for exoplanet imaging with a specific focus on the closest stellar system, Centauri. NEAR combined several new optical technologies-including a mid-IR optimized coronagraph, adaptive optics system, and rapid chopping strategy to mitigate noise from the central star and thermal background within the habitable zone. We focus on the lessons of the VLT/NEAR campaign to improve future instrumentation specifically on strategies to improve noise mitigation through chopping. We also present the design and commissioning of the Large Binocular Telescope's Exploratory Survey for Super-Earths Orbiting Nearby Stars (LESSONS), an experiment in the Northern hemisphere that is building on what was learned from NEAR to further push the sensitivity of mid-IR imaging. Finally, we briefly discuss some of the possibilities that mid-IR imaging will enable for exoplanet science.
Research center :
STAR - Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research - ULiège
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Wagner, Kevin;  Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, United States
Ertel, Steve;  Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, United States ; NASA Hubble Fellowship Program Sagan Fellow ; NASA Nexus for Exoplanet System Science Alien Earths Team ; Large Binocular Telescope Observatory, Tucson, United States
Stone, Jordan;  Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, United States ; NASA Hubble Fellowship Program Sagan Fellow
Leisenring, Jarron;  Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, United States
Apai, Dániel;  Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, United States ; NASA Nexus for Exoplanet System Science Alien Earths Team ; Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, United States
Kasper, Markus;  European Southern Observatory, Garching, Germany
Absil, Olivier  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR)
Close, Laird;  Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, United States ; NASA Hubble Fellowship Program Sagan Fellow
Defrere, Denis ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Planetary & Stellar systems Imaging Laboratory
Guyon, Olivier;  Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, United States ; Subaru Telescope, Hilo, United States
Males, Jared;  Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, United States ; NASA Nexus for Exoplanet System Science Alien Earths Team
Language :
English
Title :
Imaging low-mass planets within the habitable zones of nearby stars with ground-based mid-infrared imaging
Publication date :
01 September 2021
Event name :
SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications
Event organizer :
SPIE
Event place :
San Diego, United States - California
Event date :
1 - 5 August 2021
Event number :
11823
Audience :
International
Main work title :
Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets X
Author, co-author :
Shaklan, S.
Ruane, G.
Publisher :
SPIE, Bellingham, United States - Washington
Collection name :
Proc SPIE 11823
Peer reviewed :
Editorial reviewed
Funders :
The Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)
Funding text :
NEAR was made possible by contributions from the Breakthrough Watch program, as well as contributions from the European Southern Observatory, including director’s discretionary time. Breakthrough Watch is managed by the Breakthrough Initiatives, sponsored by the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. The results reported herein benefited from collaborations and/or information exchange within NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) research coordination network sponsored by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. K.W. acknowledges support from NASA through the NASA Hubble Fellowship grant HST-HF2-51472.001-A awarded by the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Incorporated, under NASA contract NAS5-26555.
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