[Previous] | [Session 86] | [Next]
D. Ebbets, S. Kilston (Ball Aerospace)
In our study of candidate architectures for NASA’s Terrestrial Planet Finder mission we have estimated the observable properties of a large number of hypothetical planetary systems. The distributions of photometric, geometric and temporal characteristics define the search space that is available and the performance requirements the observatory will have to meet. They also suggest observing scenarios for individual targets and survey strategies for achieving the scientific mission of TPF within its planned lifetime. This poster discusses our assessment of the feasibility of detecting terrestrial planets in reflected starlight using a coronagraphic instrument.
This study was funded by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.