Export Control Notice Export or re-export of information contained herein may be subject to restrictions and requirements of U.S. export laws and regulations and may require advance authorization from the U.S. Government. April 22, 2019 Today astronomers announced that they had discovered the 27th exoplanet known to have approximately the same mass and temperature as the Earth. They don’t know what it is made of or whether it has an atmosphere. But they are excited because it circles a well-known nearby star and the planet might be searched for life in another decade or so. 2 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope April 22, 2019 Today astronomers announced that they had discovered the 27th exoplanet known to have approximately the same mass and temperature as the Earth. They released this photo of the Tau Ceti planetary system, lying just 16 light years away. At the center of the image is a black dot where the light from the star has been removed. Three major planets are visible. Of particular interest is the pale blue dot to the right of the black dot. Detailed study has shown this planet has oceans, polar caps, and two continents the size of Australia. Cloud banks drift across the landscape. Not only is the equatorial temperature a pleasant 80F, the atmosphere is equal parts oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide and appears breathable. Scientists speculate this atmosphere can only be the result of abundant plant life3 in the ocean and on the land. 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Where Next with Space Missions for Exoplanets? • There Has Been Stunning Progress in Study of Exoplanets – It takes 10 to 20 years to launch a space observatory – 14 years ago this field didn’t exist – where will it be in 20 years with or without space???? • A Space Exoplanet Mission Must Have A – Dramatic Leap In Sensitivity and Inner Working Angle – High Quality Spectroscopy – Capability WAAAAAY Beyond What We have Seen So Far • Otherwise the Mission Will Be Rendered Mundane • In Short We Need High Quality Spectroscopy of Earth-twins – And broad capability to study planetary systems in detail – Anything less would be a gamble 4 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope NWO Team Membership: Organizations, Roles, and Leads • Team consist of 43 active members – 9 organizations are participating • Additional involvement is provided from each organization and includes technical area experts and graduate/undergraduate students • Organizations, Roles and Leads: – Colorado University: PI, Science, Optical Design, and Systems Analysis: Webster Cash – Northrop Grumman: Deputy PI and Starshade Development: Amy Lo – Ball Aerospace Technology Corporation: Telescope Development: Charley Noecker – USNO: Astrometry: Rachel Dudik – NASA GRC: Occulter (Starshade) Propulsion: Scott Benson – KinetX: Mission Design and Navigation: Bobby Williams – GSI: Lead Scientist: Maggie Turnbull – University College of London: Exoplanet Spectra Modeling: Giovanna Tinetti – NASA GSFC: Study Management: Kate Hartman 5 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Overview • New Worlds Observer – NIAC Study 2005-2007 $400k – Breakthrough in Apodization Revived Old Idea • ASMCS Study - 2008-now Results on http://newworlds.colorado.edu • BUT WE HAVE: – A buildable, affordable design – Demonstrated full 10-10 contrast in the lab – Showed starshades will bring unparalleled scientific return – The only path to Habitable Planets and Life in the coming decade – Shown can be fully implemented in 10 years 6 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope The New Worlds Observer • The telescope is shaded from the star by the starshade – Beside a vanishingly small residual signal, starlight never enters the telescope Starshade 100% of the planet light still reaches the telescope 7 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope A Starshade Can Work with Any Telescope 1.2m 4m 10m 2.4m 8 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope NWO’s Scientific Return • Map Over 100 Neighboring Planetary Systems • Perform Spectroscopy of Nearby Exoplanets • Measure Planetary System Characteristics • Perform General Astronomy • Address Most of NASA’s Astrophysics Goals And • Search for Habitable Planets with a completeness of 30 • Search for Life by measuring biomarkers such as oxygen and water 9 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Map Over 100 Planetary Systems • Prime Goal is Exploration of the Solar Neighborhood Uranus • NWO will allow us to Galaxies make maps of over 100 nearby planetary systems from the habitable zone outward Zodiacal Light Jupiter • Detect and classify all Saturn major planets Neptune 10 10 arcseconds 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Map Over 100 Planetary Systems Export Control Notice Export or re-export of information contained herein may be subject to restrictions and requirements of U.S. export laws and regulations and may require advance authorization from the U.S. Government. Spectroscopy of Nearby Terrestrial Exoplanets • Every Planet Will Have Immediate Spectroscopy at R~100 H2O O2 CH4 NH3 12 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Spectroscopy of Nearby Giant Exoplanets Karkoschka et al. 1998 Four Solar System Objects in NWO Band 13 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Measure Planetary System Characteristics Epsilon Eridani • Exozodiacal Light and Debris • Will Give Clues on Whole System • May Interfere with Planet Detection Greaves et al. (2005) Beta Pic • NOTHING is yet known Red about Exozodis HD 92945 – Solar System zodi has red scattered Neutral light color – Known debris disks show red, grey, & AU Mic blue colors Blue 14 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Target Stars: Exposure Times i = 60˚ From A. Roberge 15 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Measure Planetary System Characteristics Export Control Notice Export or re-export of information contained herein may be subject to restrictions and requirements of U.S. export laws and regulations and may require advance authorization from the U.S. Government. Zodiacal Light Indicates Orbital Inclination So Do Multi-planet Position Statistics Perform General Astronomy • During 70% of Observing Time the Starshade will Be Travelling to the next Target. • Unify Exoplanet and UVOIR Communities • Very Broad Range of Astronomy Served KBO UB313 17 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Address Most of NASA’s Astrophysics Goals Grand Themes from 2006 Astrophysics Roadmap Red=Full NWO Addresses Blue=4m Telescope Addresses • Is there life elsewhere in the universe? • Are there other planetary systems like our own? • What powered the Big Bang? • What is the dark energy pulling the universe apart? • How did the first stars, galaxies, and quasars form? • What happens at the edge of a black hole? • What are the ultimate fate of stars, and the origin of the elements essential for life? • How do planetary systems form and evolve? • How are the stars and stellar systems formed from the interstellar clouds of gas and dust? 18 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Address Most of NASA’s Astrophysics Goals Overview • What are the origin, evolution, and fate of the universe? • How do planets, stars, galaxies, and cosmic structure come into being? • When and how did the elements of life and the universe arise? • Is there life elsewhere? Origin and evolution of cosmic structure • How did the first stars, galaxies, and quasars form, and how did they influence their surroundings? • How do baryons and dark matter interact to form galaxies and systems of galaxies? • How do supermassive black holes form and grow, and how do they interact with their galactic hosts? • How does the distribution of intergalactic baryons change over time? • What is the formation history of our own Galaxy, the Milky Way, and its immediate neighbors? 19 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Address Most of NASA’s Astrophysics Goals Origin and destiny of stars • How are stars and stellar systems formed from interstellar clouds of gas and dust? • What is the nature of the exotic objects left by dying stars, and how are the elements essential for life created? • How do planets form in disks of gas and dust around young stars? Exploring new worlds • How do planetary systems form and evolve? • Are there other planetary systems like our own? • Is there life elsewhere in the universe? Education and public outreach • Inspire and motivate students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) • Engage the public in shaping and sharing the experience of exploration and discovery. 20 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Search for Habitable Planets NWO blue IWA NWO red IWA 40 mas 65 mas Contrast ~ 10-11 • Entire habitable zone : ~ 110 stars • Half of habitable zone : ~280 stars 21 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Search for Habitable Planets It’s all about Inner Working Angle NWO runs out of targets before it needs refueling 22 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Search for Habitable Planets From P. Oakley Continents! Oceans! 23 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Search for Life 24 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Search for Life • NWO can do detailed spectroscopy of Earth-like planets – Resolution in the 100 to 1000 range • Can easily detect water in the atmosphere • Can see surface features as the planet rotates • Can detect the key biomarkers 25 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Technical Results • Modeling and Lab Studies • Mission Overview • Technology Roadmap • Cost and Schedule 26 25 Aug 2008 NWO Science Telescope Modeling and Lab Studies • Apodizing Function Apodization Function The Hypergaussian function n ⎛⎞⎡⎤ra− T =−exp⎜⎟⎢⎥ ⎜⎟ Transmission ⎝⎠⎣⎦b • Opaque Starshade Radius Parameter Occulter inner radius a Petal 1/e length b Hypergaussian