Future Astrometric Space Missions for Exoplanet Science

Abstract

High-precision astrometry at the sub-microarcsecond level opens up a window to study Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of Sun-like 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 Sun-like 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 as well as a survey for habitable Earth-like 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.

arXiv comment12 pages, 3 figures. Invited review to appear in 'Handbook of Exoplanets', Springer Reference Works, edited by Hans J. Deeg and Juan Antonio Belmonte

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Cited by in corpus (6)

• Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE): I. Improved exoplanet detection yield estimates for a large mid-infrared space-interferometer mission
• A new estimation of astrometric exoplanet detection limits in the habitable zone around nearby stars
• The Science of Fundamental Catalogs
• The Potential of Detecting Nearby Terrestrial Planets in the HZ with Different Methods
• A Cool Earth-sized Planet Candidate Transiting a Tenth Magnitude K-dwarf From K2
• The value of astrometry for exoplanet science