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Infrared Imaging and Characterization of Exoplanets: Can we Detect Earth-Twins on a Budget?During the past decade considerable progress has been made developing techniques that can be used to detect and characterize Earth twins in the mid- infrared (7-20 microns). The principal technique is called nulling interferometry, and it was invented by Bracewell in the late 1970's. The nulling technique is an interferometric equivalent of an optical coronagraph. At the present time most of the technological hurdles have been overcome for a space mission to be able to begin Phase A early in the next decade, and it is possible to detect and characterize Earth-twins on a mid- sized strategic mission budget ($600-800 million). I will review progress on this exciting method of planet detection in the context of recent work on the Exoplanet Community Forum and the US Decadal Survey (Astro2010), including biomarkers, technological progress, mission concepts, the theory of these instruments, and a.comparison of the discovery space of this technique with others also under consideration.
Document ID
20100031079
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Danchi, William
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
July 21, 2010
Subject Category
Astronomy
Meeting Information
Meeting: Infrared Imaging and Characterization of Exoplanets: Can we Detect Earth-Twins on a Budget?
Location: San Francisco, C
Country: United States
Start Date: July 21, 2010
End Date: July 24, 2010
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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