Planetary system and star formation science with non-redundant masking on JWST

Anand Sivaramakrishnan*, Peter G. Tuthill, Michael J. Ireland, James P. Lloyd, Frantz Martinache, Rémi Soummer, Russell B. Makidon, René Doyon, Mathilde Beaulieu, Charles A. Beichman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Non-redundant masking (NRM) is a high contrast high resolution technique that is relevant for future space missions dedicated to either general astrophysics or extrasolar planetary astronomy. NRM mitigates not only atmospheric but instrument-induced speckle noise as well. The recently added mask in the Fine Guidance Sensor Tunable Filter Imager (FGS-TFI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will open up a search space between 50 and 400 mas at wavelengths longer than 3.8μm. Contrast of 104 will be achievable in a 10 ks exposure of an M = 7 star, with routine observing, target acquisition, and data calibration methods. NRM places protoplanets in Taurus as well as Jovians younger than 300Myr and more massive than 2MJ orbiting solar type stars within JWST's reach. Stars as bright as M = 3 will also be observable, thus meshing well with next-generation ground-based extreme adaptive optics coronagraphs. This parameter space is inaccessible to both JWST coronagraphs and future 30-m class ground-based telescopes, especially in the mid-IR. We show that NRM used on future space telescopes can deliver unsurpassed image contrast in key niches, while reducing mission risk associated with active primary mirrors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTechniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets IV
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
EventTechniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets IV - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 4 Aug 20095 Aug 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7440
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceTechniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets IV
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period4/08/095/08/09

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