Detection and Characterization of Extra-solar Planets

Abstract: We suggest a suite of NGST studies aimed at the detection and characterization of planets over a range of mass, age, stellar spectral type, and physical separation from their central stars. The results of these studies will constitute fundamental steps toward an understanding of the origin of planets and life in the universe, and, in particular, will lay the groundwork for future NASA missions such as the Terrestrial Planet Finder. We suggest a suite of NGST studies aimed at the detection and characterization of planets over a range of mass, age, stellar spectral type, and physical separation from their central stars. The results of these studies will constitute fundamental steps toward an understanding of the origin of planets and life in the universe, and, in particular, will lay the groundwork for future NASA missions such as the Terrestrial Planet Finder. ASWG DRM Proposal Detection and Characterization of Extra-solar Planets Observing Summary: Target RA Dec KAB Configuration/mode Days 350 NEARBY STARS d<25pc Resolved MIR/CAM R3-R10 15 200 YOUNG STARS d=150pc Resolved MIR/CAM R3-R10 10 100 NEARBY STARS d<25pc Resolved NIR/CAM R3-R10 150 50 EXTRA-SOLAR PLANETS OR BROWN DWARFS d<25pc Resolved 0.1-1μJy NIR/SPEC R3000-R10000 50 50 EXTRA-SOLAR PLANETS OR BROWN DWARFS d<25pc Resolved 0.1-1μJy MIR/SPEC R3000-R10000 50 50 EXTRA-SOLAR PLANETS OR BROWN DWARFS d∼100 pc Resolved 0.1-1μJy NIR/SPEC R3000-R10000 50 50 EXTRA-SOLAR PLANETS OR BROWN DWARFS d∼100 pc Resolved 0.1-1μJy MIR/SPEC R3000-R10000 50 50 EXTRA-SOLAR PLANETS d<25pc Unresolved 700μJy MIR/SPEC R30000 50 Grand total days 425