Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

The Exoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE)

Maxted

The Exoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) Thumbnail


Authors



Abstract

Although there are a large number of known exoplanets, there is little data on their global atmospheric properties. Phase-resolved spectroscopy of transiting planets – continuous spectroscopic observation of planets during their full orbits – probes varied depths and longitudes in the atmospheres thus measuring their three-dimensional thermal and chemical structure and contributing to our understanding of their global circulation. Planets with characteristics suitable for atmospheric characterization have orbits of several days, so phase curve observations are highly resource intensive, especially for shared use facilities. The Exoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) is a balloon-borne near-infrared spectrometer designed to observe from 1 to 5 µm to perform phaseresolved spectroscopy of hot Jupiters. Flying from a long duration balloon (LDB) platform, EXCITE will have the stability to continuously stare at targets for days at a time and the sensitivity to produce data of the quality and quantity needed to significantly advance our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres. We describe the EXCITE design and show results of analytic and numerical calculations of the instrument sensitivity. We show that an instrument like EXCITE will produce a wealth of quality data, both complementing and serving as a critical bridge between current and future space-based near infrared spectroscopic instruments.

Acceptance Date Jul 29, 2018
Publication Date Jul 29, 2018
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal GROUND-BASED AND AIRBORNE INSTRUMENTATION FOR ASTRONOMY VII
Print ISSN 0277-786X
Publisher Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers
DOI https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2314225
Publisher URL https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/10702/2314225/The-Exoplanet-Climate-Infrared-TElescope-EXCITE/10.1117/12.2314225.short

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations