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Future Astrometric Space Missions for Exoplanet Science

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Handbook of Exoplanets

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Abstract

High-precision astrometry at the sub-μas-level opens up a window to study Earthlike planets in the habitable zones of Sunlike stars and to determine their masses. It thus promises to play an important role in exoplanet science in the future. However, such precision can only be acquired from space and requires dedicated instrumentation for a sufficient astrometric calibration. Here, we present a series of concepts designed for handling this task. STARE is a small satellite concept dedicated to finding planets in the very nearest stellar systems, which offers a low-cost option toward the study of habitable planets. The NEAT concept is a set of two formation-flying satellites with the aim to survey the 200 nearest Sunlike stars for Earths in the habitable zone. Finally, THEIA is a proposal for an ESA M-class mission, with a single-unit telescope designed for both dark matter studies and a survey for habitable Earthlike planets among the 50 nearest stars. The concepts illustrate various possible paths and strategies for achieving exquisite astrometric performance and thereby addressing key scientific questions regarding the distribution of habitability and life in the universe.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank everyone involved in the various astrometric concepts discussed in this chapter for their great efforts. MJ acknowledges support from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Astronomy, Institutionen för astronomi, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, SE-10691, Stockholm, Sweden

    Markus Janson & Alexis Brandeker

  2. Department of Physics, Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology, Durham University, DH1 3LE, Durham, UK

    Celine Boehm

  3. CENTRA/SIM, Faculdade de Ciencias, Universidade de Lisboa, Ed. C8, Campo Grande, P-1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal

    Alberto Krone Martins

Authors
  1. Markus Janson
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  2. Alexis Brandeker
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  3. Celine Boehm
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  4. Alberto Krone Martins
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Markus Janson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias , La Laguna, Spain

    Hans J. Deeg

  2. Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, La Laguna, Spain

    Juan Antonio Belmonte

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Janson, M., Brandeker, A., Boehm, C., Martins, A.K. (2017). Future Astrometric Space Missions for Exoplanet Science. In: Deeg, H., Belmonte, J. (eds) Handbook of Exoplanets . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30648-3_87-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30648-3_87-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-30648-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-30648-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Physics and AstronomyReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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