Large Interferometer For Exoplanets
Mission typeExoplanet observation
Websitewww.life-space-mission.com
Mission duration5-6 years
Main telescope
Type4-telescope array with 6:1 baseline ratio, maximum/minimum allowed separation: 600 m / 10 m
Diameter4 x 2-3.5 m
Wavelengths4 – 18 μm (mid-infrared)
Resolutionspectral: 35 - 50
 

Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) is a project started in 2017 to develop the science, technology and a roadmap for a space mission to detect and characterize the atmospheres of dozens of warm, terrestrial extrasolar planets. The current plan is for a nulling interferometer operating in the mid-infrared.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The LIFE space observatory concept is different from previous space missions, which covered a similar wavelength regime in the mid-infrared (MIR). This includes recent missions such as James Webb Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, and older missions such as ISO, IRAS, and AKARI.

Atmospheric Biosignatures

When present in sufficient quantities in the atmosphere, chemicals that are indicators of life are known as atmospheric biomarkers. The LIFE Mission is designed to observe in the mid-infrared light, where many of these molecules show spectral features.

LIFE research papers

  1. Improved exoplanet detection yield estimates for a large mid-infrared space-interferometer mission
  2. Signal simulation, signal extraction and fundamental exoplanet parameters from single epoch observations
  3. Spectral resolution, wavelength range and sensitivity requirements based on atmospheric retrieval analyses of an exo-Earth  
  4. Diagnostic potential of a mid-infrared space-interferometer for studying Earth analogs
  5. Ideal kernel-nulling array architectures for a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer
  6. Practical implementation of a kernel-nulling beam combiner with a discussion on instrumental uncertainties and redundancy benefits

References

  1. ↑ "Large Interferometer For Exoplanets". Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  2. ↑ Quanz, Sascha P. (2022). "Atmospheric characterization of terrestrial exoplanets in the mid-infrared: Biosignatures, habitability, and diversity". Experimental Astronomy. 54 (2–3): 1197–1221. arXiv:1908.01316. doi:10.1007/s10686-021-09791-z. PMC 9998579. PMID 36915622.
  3. ↑ Bonati, Irene (18 Nov 201). "Direct imaging of molten protoplanets in nearby young stellar associations". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 621: A125. arXiv:1811.07411. Bibcode:2019A&A...621A.125B. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201833158. S2CID 119455048.
  4. ↑ Defrère, D. (26 Jul 2018). "Characterizing the atmosphere of Proxima b with a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer". In Tuthill, Peter G.; Creech-Eakman, Michelle J.; Mérand, Antoine (eds.). Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VI. Vol. 10701. p. 36. arXiv:1807.09996. Bibcode:2018SPIE10701E..1HD. doi:10.1117/12.2312839. ISBN 9781510619555. S2CID 118991382.
  5. ↑ Defrère, D. (21 Dec 2018). "Space-based infrared interferometry to study exoplanetary atmospheres". Experimental Astronomy. 46 (3): 543–560. arXiv:1801.04150. Bibcode:2018ExA....46..543D. doi:10.1007/s10686-018-9613-2. S2CID 254514482.
  6. ↑ Kammerer, J.; Quanz, S. P. (17 Oct 2017). "Simulating the exoplanet yield of a space-based mid-infrared interferometer based on Kepler statistics". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 609: A4. arXiv:1707.06820. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201731254. S2CID 54748356.

See also

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