1 research outputs found
JWST observations of stellar occultations by solar system bodies and rings
In this paper we investigate the opportunities provided by the James Webb
Space Telescope (JWST) for significant scientific advances in the study of
solar system bodies and rings using stellar occultations. The strengths and
weaknesses of the stellar occultation technique are evaluated in light of
JWST's unique capabilities. We identify several possible JWST occultation
events by minor bodies and rings, and evaluate their potential scientific
value. These predictions depend critically on accurate a priori knowledge of
the orbit of JWST near the Sun-Earth Lagrange-point 2 (L2). We also explore the
possibility of serendipitous stellar occultations by very small minor bodies as
a by-product of other JWST observing programs. Finally, to optimize the
potential scientific return of stellar occultation observations, we identify
several characteristics of JWST's orbit and instrumentation that should be
taken into account during JWST's development.Comment: This paper is one of a series for a special issue on Solar System
observations with JWST in PASP. Accepted 2-Oct-2015. Preprint 30 pages, 5
tables, 8 figure