Exoplanet Characterization and the Search for Life

Details Exoplanet Characterization and the Search for Life Exoplanet Characterization and the Search for Life

2009-11-16

arxiv.org/abs/0911.2936v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics

7 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Astro2010 Decadal Review

Scientific paper

Over 300 extrasolar planets (exoplanets) have been detected orbiting nearby stars. We now hope to conduct a census of all planets around nearby stars and to characterize their atmospheres and surfaces with spectroscopy. Rocky planets within their star's habitable zones have the highest priority, as these have the potential to harbor life. Our science goal is to find and characterize all nearby exoplanets; this requires that we measure the mass, orbit, and spectroscopic signature of each one at visible and infrared wavelengths. The techniques for doing this are at hand today. Within the decade we could answer long-standing questions about the evolution and nature of other planetary systems, and we could search for clues as to whether life exists elsewhere in our galactic neighborhood.

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