18 research outputs found
MINDS: The JWST MIRI Mid-INfrared Disk Survey
The study of protoplanetary disks has become increasingly important with the
Kepler satellite finding that exoplanets are ubiquitous around stars in our
galaxy and the discovery of enormous diversity in planetary system
architectures and planet properties. High-resolution near-IR and ALMA images
show strong evidence for ongoing planet formation in young disks. The JWST MIRI
mid-INfrared Disk Survey (MINDS) aims to (1) investigate the chemical inventory
in the terrestrial planet-forming zone across stellar spectral type, (2) follow
the gas evolution into the disk dispersal stage, and (3) study the structure of
protoplanetary and debris disks in the thermal mid-IR. The MINDS survey will
thus build a bridge between the chemical inventory of disks and the properties
of exoplanets. The survey comprises 52 targets (Herbig Ae stars, T Tauri stars,
very low-mass stars and young debris disks). We primarily obtain MIRI/MRS
spectra with high S/N (~100-500) covering the complete wavelength range from
4.9 to 27.9 {\mu}m. For a handful of selected targets we also obtain NIRSpec
IFU high resolution spectroscopy (2.87-5.27 {\mu}m). We will search for
signposts of planet formation in thermal emission of micron-sized dust -
information complementary to near-IR scattered light emission from small dust
grains and emission from large dust in the submillimeter wavelength domain. We
will also study the spatial structure of disks in three key systems that have
shown signposts for planet formation, TW Hya and HD 169142 using the MIRI
coronagraph at 15.5 {\mu}m and 10.65 {\mu}m respectively and PDS70 using NIRCam
imaging in the 1.87 {\mu}m narrow and the 4.8 {\mu}m medium band filter. ...Comment: accepted for publication in PAS
The James Webb Space Telescope Mission
Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies,
expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling
for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least .
With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000
people realized that vision as the James Webb Space Telescope. A
generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of
the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the
scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000
team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image
quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief
history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing
program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite
detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space
Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure
Exploring the Properties of Nearby Debris Disks using the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
International audienc
Exploring the Properties of Nearby Debris Disks using the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
International audienc
Exploring the Properties of Nearby Debris Disks using the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
International audienc