Combining high-contrast imaging with high-resolution spectroscopy: Actual on-sky MIRI/MRS results compared to expectations

Abstract

CONTEXT: Combining high-contrast imaging with high-resolution spectroscopy offers a powerful way to detect and characterize exoplanets around nearby stars, despite challenges linked to their faintness. Instruments like VLT/SPHERE are state of the art in high-contrast imaging, but their spectral resolution (R=50) limits them to basic characterization of close companions. These systems can detect planets down to 5-10 Mjup at 10 AU from their stars. Detection limits are mainly constrained by speckle noise, which dominates over photon and detector noise at short separations, even with advanced differential imaging. Space-based high-contrast imaging is also limited by image stability. Speckle noise can, however, be mitigated through molecular mapping, a technique that leverages high-resolution spectroscopic data. AIMS: We aim to predict detection limits in spectro-imaging after molecular mapping, analyzing how photon and detector noise propagate and comparing predictions with real data to assess performance losses from instrumental effects. We also propose mitigation strategies and validate our model using observations. METHODS: We analyzed JWST/MIRI/MRS data with FastCurves, an numerical tool, and compared results to outputs from the MIRI simulator. We also applied principal component analysis (PCA) to identify and isolate systematic effects, with and without molecular mapping. RESULTS: We studied various systematic effects and their impacts on signal and noise. PCA helped highlight and reduce straylight, fringes, and aliasing. We further compared observed and modeled companion spectra. CONCLUSIONS: FastCurves was improved to account for systematics and validated with real data. In high-flux regimes, systematics impose contrast limits even with molecular mapping. Our approach could benefit other instruments and inform the planning of future facilities like ELT/ANDES and ELT/PCS.

Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics, Section 13 (Astronomical instrumentation), reference: aa53382-24 23 pages, 34 figures

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