Direct imaging of Earth-like planets: why we care about exozodis

O. Absil; D. Defrère; A. Roberge; J.-C. Augereau; V. Coudé du Foresto; C. Hanot; C. Stark; J. Surdej

doi:10.1117/12.858257

21 July 2010 Direct imaging of Earth-like planets: why we care about exozodis

O. Absil, D. Defrère, A. Roberge, J.-C. Augereau, V. Coudé du Foresto, C. Hanot, C. Stark, J. Surdej

Proceedings Volume 7734, Optical and Infrared Interferometry II; 77340L (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858257
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The presence of large amounts of exozodiacal dust around nearby main sequence stars is considered as a potential threat for the direct detection of Earth-like exoplanets (exoEarths) with future space-based coronagraphic and interferometric missions. In this paper, we estimate the amount of exozodiacal light that can be tolerated around various stellar types without jeopardizing the detection of exoEarths with a space-based visible coronagraph or a free-flying mid-infrared interferometer. We also address the possible effects of resonant structures in exozodiacal disks. We then review the sensitivity of current ground-based interferometric instruments to exozodiacal disks, based on classical visibility measurements and on the nulling technique. We show that the current instrumental performances are not sufficient to help prepare future exoEarth imaging missions, and discuss how new groundor space-based instruments could improve the current sensitivity to exozodiacal disks down to a suitable level.

Citation Download Citation

O. Absil, D. Defrère, A. Roberge, J.-C. Augereau, V. Coudé du Foresto, C. Hanot, C. Stark, and J. Surdej "Direct imaging of Earth-like planets: why we care about exozodis", Proc. SPIE 7734, Optical and Infrared Interferometry II, 77340L (21 July 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.858257

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