The Exoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE)

Gregory S. Tucker; Peter Nagler; Nathaniel Butler; Brian Kilpatrick; Andrei Korotkov; Nikole Lewis; Pierre F. L. Maxted; Laddawan Miko; C. B. Netterfield; Enzo Pascale; Jennifer Patience; Paul Scowen; Vivien Parmentier; Ingo Waldmann; Yiting Wen

doi:10.1117/12.2314225

29 July 2018 The Exoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE)

Gregory S. Tucker, Peter Nagler, Nathaniel Butler, Brian Kilpatrick, Andrei Korotkov, Nikole Lewis, Pierre F. L. Maxted, Laddawan Miko, C. B. Netterfield, Enzo Pascale, Jennifer Patience, Paul Scowen, Vivien Parmentier, Ingo Waldmann, Yiting Wen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10702, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VII; 107025G (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314225
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2018, Austin, Texas, United States

Abstract

Although there are a large number of known exoplanets, there is little data on their global atmospheric properties. Phase-resolved spectroscopy of transiting planets – continuous spectroscopic observation of planets during their full orbits – probes varied depths and longitudes in the atmospheres thus measuring their three-dimensional thermal and chemical structure and contributing to our understanding of their global circulation. Planets with characteristics suitable for atmospheric characterization have orbits of several days, so phase curve observations are highly resource intensive, especially for shared use facilities. The Exoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) is a balloon-borne near-infrared spectrometer designed to observe from 1 to 5 μm to perform phaseresolved spectroscopy of hot Jupiters. Flying from a long duration balloon (LDB) platform, EXCITE will have the stability to continuously stare at targets for days at a time and the sensitivity to produce data of the quality and quantity needed to significantly advance our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres. We describe the EXCITE design and show results of analytic and numerical calculations of the instrument sensitivity. We show that an instrument like EXCITE will produce a wealth of quality data, both complementing and serving as a critical bridge between current and future space-based near infrared spectroscopic instruments.

Citation Download Citation

Gregory S. Tucker, Peter Nagler, Nathaniel Butler, Brian Kilpatrick, Andrei Korotkov, Nikole Lewis, Pierre F. L. Maxted, Laddawan Miko, C. B. Netterfield, Enzo Pascale, Jennifer Patience, Paul Scowen, Vivien Parmentier, Ingo Waldmann, and Yiting Wen "The Exoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE)", Proc. SPIE 10702, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VII, 107025G (29 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314225

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available