MRI: Development of Integral Field Spectroscopy for Exoplanetary Science

American Museum Natural History, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

AST-0520822/Oppenheimer, Amer Mus Nat History The project will develop a new type of integral field spectrograph. The spectrograph is designed specifically to exploit wavelength-dependent speckle artifacts to overcome dynamic range limitations when trying to observe planets that orbit stars that are some 10^5 to 10^12 times brighter. Combined with a coronograph, the new spectrograph will boost sensitivity by as much as a factor of 100 over the use of a coronograph alone and will commensurately increase the likelihood of direct visual observation of extra-solar planets.