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Exoplanet Science Strategy (2018) / Chapter Skim
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6 Timeline for the Exoplanet Science Strategy
Pages 132-138

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
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From page 132...
... The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has the potential to provide infrared spectra of terrestrial-size planets in and near the liquid water habitable zones of M dwarfs, as well as a statistical sample of spectra for up to about 100 larger and hotter planets.
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From page 133...
... The committee sees a need for current action to improve community practices in areas including but not limited to reducing harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other marginalized identities, as well as addressing intersectional concerns. The committee considers the Astronomy and Astrophysics and Planetary Science Decadal Surveys to be appropriate venues to convene committees of experts to provide recommendations for improved workforce development.
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From page 134...
... For the direct study of exoplanets, OST's primary strength is in atmospheric characterization through transit spectroscopy in both primary and secondary eclipse. Like JWST, OST's mid-IR wavelength coverage allows secondary eclipse measurements to probe thermal emission from temperate atmospheres and detect a variety of key molecules using transmission and emission spectroscopy.
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From page 135...
... Such a mission would explore the atmospheres of planets with a range of sizes and effective temperatures, and image multiple planets in each system, enabling comparative exoplanetology. A direct imaging mission would also be sensitive to terrestrial planets in the habitable zones of stars similar to the Sun, environments for which Earth provides a proof of concept that habitability is possible, but which are accessible only from space.
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From page 136...
... For Neptune- and Jupiter-size planets, several atmospheres have already been characterized and a statistical sample is needed. Hot Jupiter atmospheric characterization shows that, even in the case of these hydrogen- and helium-dominated planets, a sample of 10 objects contains substantial spectral diversity but this is not enough objects to derive statistically significant trends that explain their physical and chemical differences.
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From page 137...
... The committee recommends balancing a measured, step-by-step strategy that will allow the building of a nuanced understanding of planetary systems with bold steps targeted toward the current fledgling understanding of planetary habitability. Optical imaging of habitable-zone terrestrial planets would advance both of these objectives.
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Key Terms

  • terrestrial planets
  • atmospheric characterization
  • science strategy
  • terrestrial planet
  • molecular oxygen

  • habitable zones
  • committee considers
  • imaging mission
  • direct imaging
  • planet atmospheres

  • occurrence rates
  • planetary science
  • individual investigator
  • planets orbiting
  • liquid water

  • habitable zone
  • water habitable
  • exoplanet community
  • host stars
  • spectroscopically characterizing

  • statistical sample
  • stars similar
  • time scale
  • reflected light
  • current knowledge

  • astrophysical objects
  • space telescope
  • thermal emission
  • secondary eclipse
  • future missions


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