Universität zu Köln

Leger, Alain, Defrere, Denis ORCID: 0000-0003-3499-2506, Malbet, Fabien, Labadie, Lucas ORCID: 0000-0001-5342-5713 and Absil, Olivier ORCID: 0000-0002-4006-6237 (2015). IMPACT OF eta(Earth) ON THE CAPABILITIES OF AFFORDABLE SPACE MISSIONS TO DETECT BIOSIGNATURES ON EXTRASOLAR PLANETS. Astrophys. J., 808 (2). BRISTOL: IOP PUBLISHING LTD. ISSN 1538-4357

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Abstract

We present an analytic model to estimate the capabilities of space missions dedicated to the search for biosignatures in the atmosphere of rocky planets located in the habitable zone of nearby stars. Relations between performance and mission parameters, such as mirror diameter, distance to targets, and radius of planets, are obtained. Two types of instruments are considered: coronagraphs observing in the visible, and nulling interferometers in the thermal infrared. Missions considered are: single-pupil coronagraphs with a 2.4 m primary mirror, and formation-flying interferometers with 4 x 0.75 m collecting mirrors. The numbers of accessible planets are calculated as a function of eta(Earth). When Kepler gives its final estimation for eta(Earth), the model will permit a precise assessment of the potential of each instrument. Based on current estimations, eta(Earth) = 10% around FGK stars and 50% around M stars, the coronagraph could study in spectroscopy only similar to 1.5 relevant planets, and the interferometer similar to 14.0. These numbers are obtained under the major hypothesis that the exozodiacal light around the target stars is low enough for each instrument. In both cases, a prior detection of planets is assumed and a target list established. For the long-term future, building both types of spectroscopic instruments, and using them on the same targets, will be the optimal solution because they provide complementary information. But as a first affordable space mission, the interferometer looks the more promising in terms of biosignature harvest.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Leger, Alain UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Defrere, Denis UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0003-3499-2506 UNSPECIFIED Malbet, Fabien UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Labadie, Lucas UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0001-5342-5713 UNSPECIFIED Absil, Olivier UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-4006-6237 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-396762
DOI:	10.1088/0004-637X/808/2/194
Journal or Publication Title:	Astrophys. J.
Volume:	808
Number:	2
Date:	2015
Publisher:	IOP PUBLISHING LTD
Place of Publication:	BRISTOL
ISSN:	1538-4357
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Physics > Institute of Physics I
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language MAIN-SEQUENCE STARS; HABITABLE ZONES; KEPLER; EARTH; SEARCH; LIFE; VARIABILITY; CLOUDS; O-2 Multiple languages Astronomy & Astrophysics Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/39676