Darwin - an experimental astronomy mission to search for extrasolar planets

C. S Cockell, T. M. Herbst, A. Léger, O. Absil, C. Beichman, W. Benz, A. Brack, B. Chazelas, A. Chelli, H. Cottin, V. Coudé du Foresto, W. C. Danchi, D. Defrère, J.-W. den Herder, C. Eiroa, M. Fridlund, T. Henning, K. J. Johnston, L. Kaltenegger, L. Labadie, H. Lammer, R. Launhardt, P. Lawson, O. P. Lay, R. Liseau, S. R. Martin, D. Mawet, D. Mourard, C. Moutou, L. M. Mugnier, F. Paresce, A. Quirrenbach, Y. D. Rabbia, H. J. A. Röttgering, D. Rouan, N. C. Santos, F. Selsis, E. Serabyn, F. Westall, G. J. White, M. Ollivier, P. Bordé

Resumo
As a response to ESA call for mission concepts for its Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 plan, we propose a mission called Darwin. Its primary goal is the study of terrestrial extrasolar planets and the search for life on them. In this paper, we describe different characteristics of the instrument.

Palavras chave
Interferometer - Nulling interferometry - Direct imaging of exoplanets - Exoplanets - Habitable zone

Experimental Astronomy
Volume 23, Página 435
março 2009

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