MRI: Development of an Exoplanet Imaging Spectrograph for Keck Observatory

该项目将为夏威夷的凯克天文台建造下一代天文仪器。该仪器将被设计成允许研究已知的数千颗绕太阳以外的恒星运行的行星(“系外行星”)。例如，该仪器将能够直接探测温带系外行星上的水云。它还将揭示在年轻恒星周围尘埃环系中形成的行星。除了系外行星，它还将对我们自己的太阳系、超新星和附近的星系进行新的观测。调试完成后，该团队将演示这些应用程序，并将数据公开。该团队将参与STEM保留计划，并培训学生和博士后仪器。该团队将为凯克天文台建造一台名为CALES的仪器，它将允许使用热红外(2-5微米)成像技术和积分场光谱技术对系外行星进行研究，热红外成像技术可以在太阳系外行星明亮的波长探测它们，积分场光谱技术根据行星的光谱特征更有效地区分行星和残余星光。与以前的系外行星成像仪器相比，该仪器在研究温带(600K)与其宿主星(1“)夹角较小的系外行星时将更加灵敏。该仪器将利用凯克公司的自适应光学基础设施。计划中的关键科学计划将提供公开数据。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project will build a next-generation astronomical instrument for the Keck Observatory in Hawaii. The instrument will be designed to permit the study of the thousands of planets known to orbit stars other than our own Sun (“exoplanets”). The instrument will enable, for example, direct detections of water clouds on temperate exoplanets. It will also reveal planets forming in dusty ring systems around young stars. Beyond exoplanets, it will make new observations of our own Solar System, supernovae, and nearby galaxies. After commissioning, the team will demonstrate these applications and make the data publicly available. The team will participate in STEM retention programs and train students and postdoctoral researchers in instrumentation. This team will construct an instrument called CALES for the Keck Observatory that will permit study of exoplanets using thermal infrared (2-5 micron) imaging, which detects exoplanets at wavelengths where they are bright, and integral-field spectroscopy, which distinguishes planets more efficiently from residual starlight based on their spectral signatures. The instrument will be more sensitive to studying temperate (600 K) exoplanets with small angular separations from their host stars (1”) than previous exoplanet imaging instruments. The instrument will utilize Keck’s adaptive optics infrastructure. A planned Key Science Program will provide public data.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.