Occulter to earth: prospects for studying earth-like planets with the E-ELT and a space-based occulter

Janson, Markus; Henning, Thomas; Quanz, Sascha P.; Asensio-Torres, Ruben; Buchhave, Lars; Krause, Oliver; Palle, Enric; Brandeker, Alexis
Bibliographical reference

Experimental Astronomy

Advertised on:
12
2022
Number of authors
8
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
Direct detection and characterization of Earth-like planets around Sun-like stars is a core task for evaluating the prevalence of habitability and life in the Universe. Here, we discuss a promising option for achieving this goal, which is based on placing an occulter in orbit and having it project its shadow onto the E-ELT at the surface of Earth, thus providing a sufficient contrast for imaging and taking spectra of Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars. Doing so at a sensible fuel budget will require tailored orbits, an occulter with a high area-to-mass ratio, and appropriate instrumentation at the E-ELT. In this White Paper, submitted in response to the ESA Voyage 2050 Call, we outline the fundamental aspects of the concept, and the most important technical developments that will be required to develop a full mission.
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Exoplanets and Astrobiology
The search for life in the universe has been driven by recent discoveries of planets around other stars (known as exoplanets), becoming one of the most active fields in modern astrophysics. The growing number of new exoplanets discovered in recent years and the recent advance on the study of their atmospheres are not only providing new valuable
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