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Exoplanet Science

with the Giant Magellan Telescope
Rocky planets range at least from 1/10th to 10,000 times the mass of Earth

Exoplanet discovery and planetary formation with the Giant Magellan Telescope

Astronomers have discovered thousands of planets orbiting other stars. Their sheer number and amazing diversity—from lava-worlds to super-Jupiters—give us a new perspective on our place in the universe. We now know that Earth is just one rocky planet amongst billions in the galaxy, and that planets range at least from 1/10th to 10,000 times the mass of Earth. Rocky planets that orbit their stars at just the right distance could be temperate enough to allow for the presence of seas of liquid water. Our nearest neighboring star, Proxima Centauri, likely hosts one such planet, but detecting biosignatures on exoplanets is extremely challenging because they are so much fainter than their host stars.

Our Revolutionary Abilities

Credits: NASA, ESA, STScI, N. Habel and S. T. Megeath (University of Toledo)

Planet Formation

GMT’s high spatial resolution enables studies of the dynamical interactions between protoplanetary disks and planets, including the inner parts of planet-forming systems.
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Planet detection

Precision radial velocity measurements will detect exoplanets around even very faint stars.
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Imaging Exoplanets

GMT’s high spatial resolution enables studies of the dynamical interactions between protoplanetary disks and planets, including the inner parts of planet-forming systems.
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Biosignatures

With GMT’s high-resolution optical and near-infrared spectrographs, astronomers will hunt for biosignatures in the atmospheres of exoplanets.
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NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Water, oxygen, carbon monoxide, methane, or ozone in atmosphere are key signatures for life.

The GMT’s sensitivity, resolution, and spectroscopic capabilities will enable us to understand the origins of the wide range of planetary systems we see in the galaxy around us. We will be able to measure the physical properties of those planets to learn if they contain life and to compare our solar system to its neighbors.

Observations with the GMT will allow us to determine the densities and atmospheric compositions of exoplanets and to discover whether any are truly Earth-like. Their atmospheres may contain water, oxygen, carbon monoxide, methane, or ozone which are key signatures for life on present-day Earth. If past exoplanet studies are any guide, we should expect to be surprised by the variety of atmospheres we discover. Mature planets are key targets, but protoplanetary systems—where planets are born — are also critical targets if we are to understand the great variety of the worlds we see.

Instruments that Enable Future Discoveries
G-CLEF — Large Earth Finder

is a high-resolution spectrograph that will make crucial and decisive measurements of the nature of Earth-sized planets. G-CLEF will make precision (10 cm/s) measurements of radial velocity that will revolutionize the study of Earth-like worlds through the determination of mass and density – a powerful diagnostic that will indicate composition from heavy, hard rock to airy ice worlds.

G-CLEF will be able to measure the spectral lines of molecular oxygen (O2) in exoplanet atmospheres because of its high spectral resolution at optical wavelengths.

Especificações técnicas
GMTNIRS — Near-Infrared Spectrograph

is a high-resolution spectrograph that will make crucial and decisive measurements of the nature of Earth-sized planets. G-CLEF will make precision (10 cm/s) measurements of radial velocity that will revolutionize the study of Earth-like worlds through the determination of mass and density – a powerful diagnostic that will indicate composition from heavy, hard rock to airy ice worlds.

G-CLEF will be able to measure the spectral lines of molecular oxygen (O2) in exoplanet atmospheres because of its high spectral resolution at optical wavelengths.

Especificações técnicas
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Exoplanet Science Strategy – NASEM report 2018 What conditions are necessary for life? (Harvard CFA) Astro2020 Whitepapers
M. López-Morales et al.
A Search for Earth-like Biosignatures on Rocky Planets Around Nearby Stars
J. Wang et al.
Detecting and Characterizing Small Planets Around Stars Across Spectral Types
D. Ciardi et al.oral
Toward Finding Earth 2.0: Masses and Orbits of Small Planets with Extreme Radial Velocity Precision
D. Dragomir et al.l
Characterizing the Atmospheres of Irradiated Exoplanets at High Spectral Resolution
M. Johnson et al.
Orbital Obliquities of Small Planets as a Key to Understanding Planet Formation and Migration
B. Bowler et al.
The Demographics and Atmospheres of Giant Planets
C.-H. Lee et al.
Identification and Characterization of the Host Stars in Planetary Microlensing
H. Jang-Condell et al.
Revealing the Origins of Planetary Systems

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