Abstract:Planetary systems are angular momentum reservoirs generated during star formation. Solutions to three of the most important problems in contemporary astrophysics are needed to understand the entire process of planetary system formation:The physics of the ISM. Stars form from dense molecular clouds that contain ∼30% of the total interstellar medium (ISM) mass. The structure, properties and lifetimes of molecular clouds are determined by the overall dynamics and evolution of a very complex system -the ISM. Under… Show more
“…Most of the known planetary systems have been detected by the transit method and the observation of UV and optical absorption during transit is a very powerful diagnostic technique [30,31]. Important bio-markers absorb efficiently the stellar radiation at ultraviolet-optical wavelengths.…”
Section: Discussion: High Resolution Imaging Versus Transmission Specmentioning
The study and characterization of the exoplanets’ atmospheres and composition is in its infancy. The large facilities that will make feasible to image an exo-Earth are currently under study. This contribution to the special issue on “detection and characterization of extrasolar planets” is a summary on the current status of the design studies to build large space-based facilities working in the 100–3000 nm range for this purpose. The three basic designs: Fresnel imagers, starshades, and coronagraphs on large space telescopes are described. An outline of the pros and cons for each design is provided. The relevance of transmission spectroscopy to characterize exoplanets atmospheres is pointed out.
“…Most of the known planetary systems have been detected by the transit method and the observation of UV and optical absorption during transit is a very powerful diagnostic technique [30,31]. Important bio-markers absorb efficiently the stellar radiation at ultraviolet-optical wavelengths.…”
Section: Discussion: High Resolution Imaging Versus Transmission Specmentioning
The study and characterization of the exoplanets’ atmospheres and composition is in its infancy. The large facilities that will make feasible to image an exo-Earth are currently under study. This contribution to the special issue on “detection and characterization of extrasolar planets” is a summary on the current status of the design studies to build large space-based facilities working in the 100–3000 nm range for this purpose. The three basic designs: Fresnel imagers, starshades, and coronagraphs on large space telescopes are described. An outline of the pros and cons for each design is provided. The relevance of transmission spectroscopy to characterize exoplanets atmospheres is pointed out.
“…At longer distances, there is established scientific interest in the UV domain for the accretion disks around young stars and formation of exoplanetary systems [10,11,25]. These rotating reservoirs of gas and dust are the birthplaces of new planetary systems and UV radiation plays an important role in synthesizing the organic molecules necessary for the emergence of life.…”
Section: Accretion Disks Around Young Starsmentioning
“…Detailed calculations have been carried out to evaluate the instrumentation needed to detect bio-tracers in Earth-like planets by the transit method concluding that collecting surfaces equivalent to a 10-20 m primary are required for these new generation of telescopes (Ehrenreich et al, 2006;Gómez de Castro et al, 2006;Arnold et al, 2014). The detection of the H I envelopes of Earth-like exoplanets may prove to be easier.…”
This contribution to the Research Topic "Imagining the Future of Astronomy and Space Sciences" focuses on astrobiology and exoplanetary research. Understanding the origin of life is the main scientific challenge to this century and an interdisciplinary endeavor in itself. To that astronomy will contribute in three key issues. Firstly, by measuring the abundance of elements relevant to life in the Universe. Then by determining the preferred location for aminoacids and complex organic molecules assembly. Finally, by investigating the signatures of life in exoplanets. A new generation of facilities will need to be built to address these questions. The relevance of ultraviolet instrumentation for this purpose is highlighted in this short perspective.
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