학술논문
EarthFinder Probe Mission Concept Study: Characterizing nearby stellar exoplanet systems with Earth-mass analogs for future direct imaging
Document Type
Working Paper
Author
Plavchan, Peter; Vasisht, Gautam; Beichman, Chas; Cegla, Heather; Dumusque, Xavier; Wang, Sharon; Gao, Peter; Dressing, Courtney; Bastien, Fabienne; Basu, Sarbani; Beatty, Thomas; Bechter, Andrew; Bechter, Eric; Blake, Cullen; Bourrier, Vincent; Cale, Bryson; Ciardi, David; Crass, Jonathan; Crepp, Justin; de Kleer, Katherine; Diddams, Scott; Eastman, Jason; Fischer, Debra; Gagné, Jonathan; Gaudi, Scott; Grier, Catherine; Hall, Richard; Halverson, Sam; Hamze, Bahaa; Casas, Enrique Herrero; Howard, Andrew; Kempton, Eliza; Latouf, Natasha; Leifer, Stephanie; Lightsey, Paul; Lisse, Casey; Martin, Emily; Matzko, William; Mawet, Dimitri; Mayo, Andrew; Newman, Patrick; Papp, Scott; Pope, Benjamin; Purcell, Bill; Quinn, Sam; Ribas, Ignasi; Rosich, Albert; Sanchez-Maes, Sophia; Tanner, Angelle; Thompson, Samantha; Vahala, Kerry; Wang, Ji; Williams, Peter; Wise, Alex; Wright, Jason
Source
Subject
Language
Abstract
EarthFinder is a NASA Astrophysics Probe mission concept selected for study as input to the 2020 Astrophysics National Academies Decadal Survey. The EarthFinder concept is based on a dramatic shift in our understanding of how PRV measurements should be made. We propose a new paradigm which brings the high precision, high cadence domain of transit photometry as demonstrated by Kepler and TESS to the challenges of PRV measurements at the cm/s level. This new paradigm takes advantage of: 1) broad wavelength coverage from the UV to NIR which is only possible from space to minimize the effects of stellar activity; 2) extremely compact, highly stable, highly efficient spectrometers (R>150,000) which require the diffraction-limited imaging possible only from space over a broad wavelength range; 3) the revolution in laser-based wavelength standards to ensure cm/s precision over many years; 4) a high cadence observing program which minimizes sampling-induced period aliases; 5) exploiting the absolute flux stability from space for continuum normalization for unprecedented line-by-line analysis not possible from the ground; and 6) focusing on the bright stars which will be the targets of future imaging missions so that EarthFinder can use a ~1.5 m telescope.
Comment: NASA Probe Mission concept white paper for 2020 Astrophysics National Academies Decadal Survey
Comment: NASA Probe Mission concept white paper for 2020 Astrophysics National Academies Decadal Survey