Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope–Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets coronagraphic operations: lessons learned from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope

John H. Debes; Marie Ygouf; Elodie Choquet; Dean C. Hines; Marshall D. Perrin; David A. Golimowski; Charles-Phillipe Lajoie; Johan Mazoyer; Laurent Pueyo; Rémi Soummer; Roeland van der Marel

doi:10.1117/1.JATIS.2.1.011010

23 December 2015 Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope–Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets coronagraphic operations: lessons learned from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope

John H. Debes, Marie Ygouf, Elodie Choquet, Dean C. Hines, Marshall D. Perrin, David A. Golimowski, Charles-Phillipe Lajoie, Johan Mazoyer, Laurent Pueyo, Rémi Soummer, Roeland van der Marel

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, Vol. 2, Issue 1, 011010 (December 2015). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.2.1.011010

Abstract

The coronagraphic instrument (CGI) currently proposed for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope–Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets (WFIRST-AFTA) mission will be the first example of a space-based coronagraph optimized for extremely high contrasts that are required for the direct imaging of exoplanets reflecting the light of their host star. While the design of this instrument is still in progress, this early stage of development is a particularly beneficial time to consider the operation of such an instrument. We review current or planned operations on the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope with a focus on which operational aspects will have relevance to the planned WFIRST-AFTA CGI. We identify five key aspects of operations that will require attention: (1) detector health and evolution, (2) wavefront control, (3) observing strategies/postprocessing, (4) astrometric precision/target acquisition, and (5) polarimetry. We make suggestions on a path forward for each of these items.

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John H. Debes, Marie Ygouf, Elodie Choquet, Dean C. Hines, Marshall D. Perrin, David A. Golimowski, Charles-Phillipe Lajoie, Johan Mazoyer, Laurent Pueyo, Rémi Soummer, and Roeland van der Marel "Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope–Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets coronagraphic operations: lessons learned from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope," Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems 2(1), 011010 (23 December 2015). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.JATIS.2.1.011010

Published: 23 December 2015

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