Key Sciences of SPICA Mission: Planetary Formation, Exoplanets, and our Solar System (original) (raw)
Related papers
Using SPICA Space Telescope to characterize Exoplanets
2008
We present the 3.5m SPICA space telescope, a proposed Japanese-led JAXA-ESA mission scheduled for launch around 2017. The actively cooled (<5 K), single aperture telescope and monolithic mirror will operate from ~3.5 to ~210 um and will provide superb sensitivity in the mid- and far-IR spectral domain (better than JWST at lambda > 18 um). SPICA is one of the few space missions selected to go to the next stage of ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 selection process. In this White Paper we present the main specifications of the three instruments currently baselined for SPICA: a mid-infrared (MIR) coronagraph (~3.5 to ~27 um) with photometric and spectral capabilities (R~200), a MIR wide-field camera and high resolution spectrometer (R~30,000), and a far-infrared (FIR ~30 to ~210 um) imaging spectrometer - SAFARI - led by a European consortium. We discuss their capabilities in the context of MIR direct observations of exo-planets (EPs) and multiband photometry/high resolution spectroscopy observations of transiting exo-planets. We conclude that SPICA will be able to characterize the atmospheres of transiting exo-planets down to the super-Earth size previously detected by ground- or space-based observatories. It will also directly detect and characterize Jupiter/Neptune-size planets orbiting at larger separation from their parent star (>5-10 AU), by performing quantitative atmospheric spectroscopy and studying proto-planetary and debris disks. In addition, SPICA will be a scientific and technological precursor for future, more ambitious, IR space missions for exo-planet direct detection as it will, for example, quantify the prevalence exo-zodiacal clouds in planetary systems and test coronographic techniques, cryogenic systems and lightweight, high quality telescopes. (abridged)
Studies of expolanets and solar systems with SPICA
Advances in Space Research, 2010
The SPace Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA) is a proposed mid-to-far infrared (4-200 µm) astronomy mission, scheduled for launch in 2017. A single, 3.5m aperture telescope would provide superior image quality at 5-200 µm, and its very cold (∼5 K) instrumentation would provide superior sensitivity in the 25-200 µm wavelength regimes. This would provide a breakthrough opportunity for studies of exoplanets, protoplanetary and debris disk, and small solar system bodies. This paper summarizes the potential scientific impacts for the proposed instrumentation.
The formation of planetary systems with SPICA
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
In this era of spatially resolved observations of planet-forming disks with Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and large ground-based telescopes such as the Very Large Telescope (VLT), Keck, and Subaru, we still lack statistically relevant information on the quantity and composition of the material that is building the planets, such as the total disk gas mass, the ice content of dust, and the state of water in planetesimals. SPace Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA) is an infrared space mission concept developed jointly by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and European Space Agency (ESA) to address these questions. The key unique capabilities of SPICA that enable this research are (1) the wide spectral coverage 10−220,mumathrmm10{-}220\,\mu\mathrm{m}10−220,mumathrmm , (2) the high line detection sensitivity of (1−2)times10−19,mathrmW,m−2(1{-}2) \times 10^{-19}\,\mathrm{W\,m}^{-2}(1−2)times10−19,mathrmW,m−2 with Rsim2,000−5,000R \sim 2\,000{-}5\,000Rsim2,000−5,000 in the far-IR (SAFARI), and 10−20,mathrmW,m−210^{-20}\,\mathrm{W\,m}^{-2}10−20,mathrmW,m−2 with Rsim29,000R \sim 29\,000Rsim29,000 in the mid-IR (...
SPICA Capability for Studying Transiting Exoplanets
2010
Transiting exoplanets are very fruitful targets to characterize their natures by transit spec-troscopy and photometry. The SPICA coronagraph instrument (SCI) has a non-coronagraphic mode, makeing the SCI useful for studying transiting exoplanets in NIR-MIR wavelength (from 1 to 27 micron). We propose to observe a variety of transiting exoplanets with the non-corongaraphic mode SCI to characterize their spectra (atmospheric transmission
The SPICA coronagraphic instrument (SCI) for the study of exoplanets
Advances in Space Research, 2011
We present the SPICA Coronagraphic Instrument (SCI), which has been designed for a concentrated study of extra-solar planets (exoplanets). SPICA mission provides us with a unique opportunity to make high contrast observations because of its large telescope aperture, the simple pupil shape, and the capability for making infrared observations from space. The primary objectives for the SCI are the direct coronagraphic detection and spectroscopy of Jovian exoplanets in infrared, while the monitoring of transiting planets is another important target. The specification and an overview of the design of the instrument are shown. In the SCI, coronagraphic and non-coronagraphic modes are applicable for both an imaging and a spectroscopy. The core wavelength range and the goal contrast of the coronagraphic mode are 3.5-27µm, and 10 −6 , respectively. Two complemental designs of binary shaped pupil mask coronagraph are presented. The SCI has capability of simultaneous observations of one target using two channels, a short channel with an InSb detector and a long wavelength channel with a Si:As detector. We also give a report on the current progress in the development of key technologies for the SCI.
The Interstellar Gas seen in the Mid- and Far-Infrared: The Promise of SPICA Space Telescope
SPICA joint European/Japanese Workshop, 2009
The mid-and far-IR spectral ranges are critical windows to characterize the physical and chemical processes that transform the interstellar gas and dust into stars and planets. Sources in the earliest phases of star formation and in the latest stages of stellar evolution release most of their energy at these wavelengths. Besides, the mid-and far-IR ranges provide key spectral diagnostics of the gas chemistry (water, light hydrides, organic species ...), of the prevailing physical conditions (H 2 , atomic fine structure lines ...), and of the dust mineral and ice composition that can not be observed from ground-based telescopes. With the launch of JAXA's SPICA telescope, uninterrupted studies in the mid-and far-IR will be possible since ESA's Infrared Space Observatory (1995). In particular, SAFARI will provide full access to the ∼34-210 μm waveband through several detector arrays and flexible observing modes (from broadband photometry to medium resolution spectroscopy with R ∼3,000 at 63 μm), and reaching very high line sensitivities (∼10 −19 W m −2 , 5σ-1hr) within a large FOV (∼ 2 × 2). Compared to previous far-IR instruments (ISO/LWS, AKARI /FIS, Spitzer /MIPS and Herschel /PACS), SAFARI will provide a superior way to obtain fully-sampled spectro-images and continuous SEDs of very faint and extended ISM sources in a wavelength domain not accessible to JWST or ALMA. The much increased sensitivity of SPICA will allow us to step forward and reveal not only the chemical complexity in the local ISM, but also in the extragalactic ISM routinely.
Experimental Astronomy, 2009
The Space Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA) is planned to be the next space astronomy mission observing in the infrared. The mission is planned to be launched in 2017 and will feature a 3.5 m telescope cooled to 30 microns wavelength). We describe the scientific advances that will be made possible by this large increase in sensitivity and give details of the mission, spacecraft and focal plane conceptual design.
SPICA: the next observatory class infrared space astronomy mission
2019
Over the last 40 years enormous advances have been made in infrared astronomy. Virtually all of these can be traced to the use of space-based telescopes, which avoid the deleterious effects of the earth's atmosphere, and continued improvements in detector sensitivity and instrument design. Since its initial and modest contributions to previous infrared space astronomy missions, starting with ISO through to Herschel, Canada has grown in stature and is now recognized as a partner of choice by leading space agencies and scientific consortia embarking on the next generation of IR space astronomy missions. This white paper reviews the history of Canada's contributions to IR space astronomy missions and presents the case for Canadian participation in the ESA-JAXA SPICA mission, which has been selected as one of three finalists for ESA's fifth medium class mission, M5.<br> <br> Observations at far-infrared (FIR) wavelengths are optimal, not only for exploring galaxy...