Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy of Exoplanetary Systems with the JWST Early Release Science Program

The direct characterization of exoplanetary systems with high contrast imaging is among the highest priorities
for the broader exoplanet community. As large space missions will be necessary for detecting and characterizing
exo-Earth twins, developing the techniques and technology for direct imaging of exoplanets is a driving focus for
the community. For the first time, JWST will directly observe extrasolar planets at mid-infrared wavelengths
beyond 5 μm, deliver detailed spectroscopy revealing much more precise chemical abundances and atmospheric
conditions, and provide sensitivity to analogs of our solar system ice-giant planets at wide orbital separations,
an entirely new class of exoplanet. However, in order to maximise the scientific output over the lifetime of
the mission, an exquisite understanding of the instrumental performance of JWST is needed as early in the
mission as possible. In this paper, we describe our 55-hour Early Release Science Program that will utilize all
four JWST instruments to extend the characterisation of planetary mass companions to ∼15-20 μm as well as
image a circumstellar disk in the mid-infrared with unprecedented sensitivity. Our program will also assess the
performance of the observatory in the key modes expected to be commonly used for exoplanet direct imaging
and spectroscopy, optimize data calibration and processing, and generate representative datasets that will enable
a broad user base to effectively plan for general observing programs in future cycles.