Kavli Affiliate: Kerry Vahala
| First 5 Authors: Peter Plavchan, Gautam Vasisht, Chas Beichman, Heather Cegla, Xavier Dumusque
| Summary:
EarthFinder is a NASA Astrophysics Probe mission concept selected for study
as input to the 2020 Astrophysics National Academies Decadal Survey. The
EarthFinder concept is based on a dramatic shift in our understanding of how
PRV measurements should be made. We propose a new paradigm which brings the
high precision, high cadence domain of transit photometry as demonstrated by
Kepler and TESS to the challenges of PRV measurements at the cm/s level. This
new paradigm takes advantage of: 1) broad wavelength coverage from the UV to
NIR which is only possible from space to minimize the effects of stellar
activity; 2) extremely compact, highly stable, highly efficient spectrometers
(R>150,000) which require the diffraction-limited imaging possible only from
space over a broad wavelength range; 3) the revolution in laser-based
wavelength standards to ensure cm/s precision over many years; 4) a high
cadence observing program which minimizes sampling-induced period aliases; 5)
exploiting the absolute flux stability from space for continuum normalization
for unprecedented line-by-line analysis not possible from the ground; and 6)
focusing on the bright stars which will be the targets of future imaging
missions so that EarthFinder can use a ~1.5 m telescope.
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