Title
Direct Imaging & Spectroscopy of Exoplanetary Systems with the JWST Early Release Science Program
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Publication Title
Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Abstract
The direct characterization of exoplanetary systems with high contrast imaging is among the highest priorities for the broader exoplanet community. As large space missions will be necessary for detecting and characterizing exo-Earth twins, developing the techniques and technology for direct imaging of exoplanets is a driving focus for the community. For the first time, JWST will directly observe extrasolar planets at mid-infrared wavelengths beyond 5 μm, deliver detailed spectroscopy revealing much more precise chemical abundances and atmospheric conditions, and provide sensitivity to analogs of our solar system ice-giant planets at wide orbital separations, an entirely new class of exoplanet. However, in order to maximise the scientific output over the lifetime of the mission, an exquisite understanding of the instrumental performance of JWST is needed as early in the mission as possible. In this paper, we describe our 55-hour Early Release Science Program that will utilize all four JWST instruments to extend the characterisation of planetary mass companions to ∼15-20 μm as well as image a circumstellar disk in the mid-infrared with unprecedented sensitivity. Our program will also assess the performance of the observatory in the key modes expected to be commonly used for exoplanet direct imaging and spectroscopy, optimize data calibration and processing, and generate representative datasets that will enable a broad user base to effectively plan for general observing programs in future cycles.
Keywords
Coronagraphic imaging, Direct imaging, Exoplanet atmospheres, Exoplanet detection methods, Space telescopes
Volume
12180
DOI
10.1117/12.2629919
ISSN
0277786X
Recommended Citation
Hinkley, Sasha; Carter, Aarynn L.; Ray, Shrishmoy; Biller, Beth; Skemer, Andrew; Choquet, Elodie; Millar-Blanchaer, Maxwell A.; Sallum, Stephanie; Miles, Brittany; Whiteford, Niall; Patapis, Polychronis; Perrin, Marshall; Pueyo, Laurent; Stapelfeldt, Karl; Wang, Jason; Ward-Duong, Kimberly; Girard, Julien H.; Hines, Dean; Kammerer, Jens; Leisenring, Jarron; Zhou, Yifan; Meyer, Michael; Liu, Michael C.; Bonnefoy, Mickael; Petrus, Simon; Bonavita, Mariangela; Chauvin, Gael; Chen, Christine; Currie, Thayne; Hoch, Kielan K.W.; Lazzoni, Cecilia; and Matthews, Elisabeth C., "Direct Imaging & Spectroscopy of Exoplanetary Systems with the JWST Early Release Science Program" (2022). Astronomy: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/ast_facpubs/99
Comments
Archived as published.