Toward Direct Imaging of Low-Mass Gas-Giants with the James Webb Space Telescope

Joshua E. Schlieder, Charles A. Beichman, Michael R. Meyer, Thomas Greene
(Submitted on 13 Oct 2015)

In preparation for observations with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), we have identified new members of the nearby, young M dwarf sample and compiled an up to date list of these stars. Here we summarize our efforts to identify young M dwarfs, describe the current sample, and detail its demographics in the context of direct planet imaging. We also describe our investigations of the unprecedented sensitivity of the JWST when imaging nearby, young M dwarfs. The JWST is the only near term facility capable of routinely pushing direct imaging capabilities around M dwarfs to sub-Jovian masses and will provide key insight into questions regarding low-mass gas-giant properties, frequency, formation, and architectures.

Comments: 2 pages; to appear in “Young Stars and Planets Near the Sun”, Proceedings of IAU Symposium No. 314 (Cambridge University Press), J.H. Kastner, B. Stelzer, S.A. Metchev, eds
Subjects: Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
Cite as: arXiv:1512.00053 [astro-ph.SR] (or arXiv:1512.00053v1 [astro-ph.SR] for this version)
Submission history
From: Joshua Schlieder
[v1] Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:37:29 GMT (16kb)
http://arxiv.org/abs/1512.00053