Experimental Astrophysics and Exoplanetary Sciences

下一个十年是行星天文学历史上的一个独特时刻。这是第一次，我们拥有了发现和描述广泛的系外行星系统（系外行星）所需的技术，这些系统可能拥有真正的地球类似物，这些行星位于太阳系之外，可能具有适合生命生存的表面条件。加拿大实验天体物理学和系外行星科学研究主席将侧重于研究各种系外行星，特别是附近可能存在生物活动的温带地球大小的行星，并能够探测水、氧气、甲烷和二氧化碳等生物特征气体。该计划将使用专门的地面高分辨率红外光谱仪对过境系外行星进行精确的质量测量，还将包括詹姆斯韦伯太空望远镜的观测计划，以前所未有的灵敏度探测其大气层。该主席还将协助开发下一代大功率仪器，即能够探测生物特征的巨型望远镜。 这个项目是一个全面的、雄心勃勃的发展计划，目的是朝着可能是21世纪世纪最重要的科学发现迈出第一步：太阳系以外生命的第一个证据。

The next decade presents a unique moment in the history of planetary astronomy. For the first time, we possess the technologies required to discover and characterize a wide range of exoplanetary systems (exoplanets) which may harbor true Earth analogs, those planets beyond the Solar System that may have the right surface condition for life to strive. The Canada Research Chair in Experimental Astrophysics and Exoplanetary Sciences will focus on studying of a wide variety of exoplanets, especially nearby temperate Earth-size planets potentially hosting biological activity, and enable the detection of biosignature gases such as water, oxygen, methane and carbon dioxide. This program will involve accurate mass measurements of transiting exoplanets using specialized ground-based high-resolution infrared spectrographs and will also include observing programs with the James Webb Space Telescope for probing their atmosphere with unprecedented sensitivity. The Chair will also contribute to the development of the next generation of powerful instruments on giant telescopes that will have the capability of detecting a biosignature. This project is a comprehensive, ambitious development plan to make the first steps towards what may be the most important scientific discovery of the 21st century: the first evidence of life beyond the Solar System.