The Near-Inrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) on the James Webb Space Telescope
(JWST) is a very versatile instrument, offering multiobject and integral field
spectroscopy with varying spectral resolution (∼30 to ∼3000) over a
wide wavelength range from 0.6 to 5.3 micron, enabling scientists to study many
science themes ranging from the first galaxies to bodies in our own Solar
System. In addition to its integral field unit and support for multiobject
spectroscopy, NIRSpec features several fixed slits and a wide aperture
specifically designed to enable high precision time-series and transit as well
as eclipse observations of exoplanets. In this paper we present its
capabilities regarding time-series observations, in general, and transit and
eclipse spectroscopy of exoplanets in particular. Due to JWST's large
collecting area and NIRSpec's excellent throughput, spectral coverage, and
detector performance, this mode will allow scientists to characterize the
atmosphere of exoplanets with unprecedented sensitivity