[论文解读] NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program (ExEP) Mission Star List for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (2023)

Eric E. Mamajek, Karl Stapelfeldt|arXiv (Cornell University)|Feb 19, 2024

Astronomy and Astrophysical Research被引用 15

一句话总结

本文汇编了164颗附近明亮恒星的清单，这些恒星的系外地球在6米级可居住世界天文台中将最易获取，以用于目标选择和任务设计的参考。

ABSTRACT

The Astro 2020 Decadal Survey "Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s" has recommended that "after a successful mission and technology maturation program, NASA should embark on a program to realize a mission to search for biosignatures from a robust number of about ~25 habitable zone planets and to be a transformative facility for general astrophysics," and prescribing that the high-contrast direct imaging mission would have "a target off-axis inscribed diameter of approximately 6 meters." The Decadal Survey assumed an exo-Earth frequency of ~25%, requiring that approximately 100 cumulative habitable zones of nearby stars should be surveyed. Surveying the nearby bright stars, and taking into account inputs from the LUVOIR and HabEx mission studies (but without being overly prescriptive in the required starlight suppression technology or requirements), we compile a list of 164 stars whose exo-Earths would be the most accessible for a systematic imaging survey of habitable zones with a 6-m-class space telescope in terms of angular separation, planet brightness in reflected light, and planet-star brightness ratio. We compile this star list to motivate observations and analysis to help inform observatory design (mission-enabling "precursor science") and enhance the science return of the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) survey for exo-Earths (mission-enhancing "preparatory science"). It is anticipated that this list of target stars and their properties will be updated periodically by the NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program.

研究动机与目标

• 推动观测与分析，为 Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) 的天文台设计提供信息。
• 提供一个目标清单，以提升 HWO 系外地球调查的科学收益。
• 提供一份准备性科学资源，支持任务推动规划和前导研究。

提出的方法

• 从 ExEP 输入和任务研究考虑（LUVOIR、HabEx）中编制附近明亮恒星的星表。
• 根据角分离、在反射光中的行星亮度以及行星-恒星亮度比，针对6米级望远镜评估恒星。
• 识别164颗在人居带成像调查中最易获得的系外地球的恒星。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 哪些附近的明亮恒星在6米望远镜下为成像可居住带系外行星提供最有利的角分离？
• RQ2 哪些目标能最大化可检测的行星亮度和行星-恒星亮度比，以用于系外地球成像？
• RQ3 这份恒星清单如何为可居住世界天文台的天文台设计和前导科学提供信息？

主要发现

• 已编制164颗恒星的清单，作为6米级望远镜进行系外地球成像最易进入的目标。
• 该选择考虑了角分离、在反射光中的行星亮度，以及行星-恒星亮度比。
• 该恒星清单拟由 NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program 定期更新。
• 该清单用于推动观测、为任务设计提供信息，并增强 HWO 调查的科学回报。