SISTERS: a space interferometer for the search for terrestrial exo-planets by rotation shearing

Pierre Y. Bely; Christopher J. Burrows; Francois J. Roddier; Gerd Weigelt; Marco C. Bernasconi

doi:10.1117/12.155753

10 September 1993 SISTERS: a space interferometer for the search for terrestrial exo-planets by rotation shearing

Pierre Y. Bely, Christopher J. Burrows, Francois J. Roddier, Gerd Weigelt, Marco C. Bernasconi

Proceedings Volume 1947, Spaceborne Interferometry; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.155753
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

A concept for a space-based interferometer dedicated to the detection of extrasolar earth-like planets is presented. Detection is done in the near infrared (10 micrometers ) where the expected star to planet flux ratio is down to 10⁶ compared to 10¹⁰ in the visible. The longer wavelength also makes is easier to avoid light scatter due to optics micro-roughness. Parent star cancellation is obtained with a rotation shearing interferometer working at its null on axis. The interferometer is of the Fizeau configuration with an aperture composed of twelve 1.2 meter mirrors on a 20 meter ring. This size, which corresponds to a resolving power of 0.05 arcsecond, allows for the investigation of about 30 candidate stars. The interferometer is supported by a chemically rigidized structure deployed by inflation. All optical elements are passively cooled to about 70 degrees Kelvin to reduce the instrumental infrared background. The spacecraft is located at the second Lagrangian point of the earth-sun system in order to minimize attitude control and baffling requirements.

Citation Download Citation

Pierre Y. Bely, Christopher J. Burrows, Francois J. Roddier, Gerd Weigelt, and Marco C. Bernasconi "SISTERS: a space interferometer for the search for terrestrial exo-planets by rotation shearing", Proc. SPIE 1947, Spaceborne Interferometry, (10 September 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.155753

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