Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Colloquium

Monday, September 21, 2020 at 12:40

https://cuboulder.zoom.us/j/96981439846

Kevin France, CU Boulder

"From a Cereal Box to a 757: Studying Stars and Planets with Space Instruments of All Sizes"

A Pretty Image from the Talk

Abstract:

High-energy photons and particles from stars regulate the atmospheric physics on orbiting planets, influencing the long-term stability of planetary atmospheres and the production of potential “biomarker” gases. The 10 – 320 nm ultraviolet bandpass contains key diagnostics of the stellar atmosphere, from the chromosphere to the corona, probes stellar flares and coronal mass ejections, and is the most effective range in which to make direct measurements of atmospheric escape from exoplanets. In this talk, I will present an overview of the recent space missions and mission concepts in development at the University of Colorado to characterize stars and their impact on planetary systems. These missions span science topics from extreme-UV and CME measurements of nearby stars, to surveys of atmospheric escape on gas giant planets, to preparing for direct detection and characterization of “Earth 2.0”.

No single observatory can provide the desired range of stellar and exoplanetary characterization. I will highlight how missions of a range of sizes, scopes, and costs provide a path to addressing these questions today while developing the designs, hardware, and students that will enable more ambitious science goals over the next two decades. I will present an overview of 1) the CUTE mission, NASA’s first grant-funded UV/optical (250-330nm) astronomy cubesat that will survey atmospheric escape from short- period planets, 2) the ESCAPE Small Explorer, an UV (10 – 170nm) stellar characterization mission currently in a NASA Phase A concept study period, and 3) sounding rocket experiments (100 – 160nm) that are validating the instrument designs and flight hardware required for NASA’s next UV/optical/IR great observatory (e.g., the LUVOIR Surveyor).

 

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