DARWIN - A Mission to Detect, and Search for Life on, Extrasolar Planets

TL;DR

The Darwin mission aims to detect and analyze terrestrial exoplanets in mid-infrared wavelengths to search for signs of life, involving interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced spectroscopic technology.

Contribution

This paper introduces the Darwin mission concept, detailing its objectives, target selection, technological readiness, and potential scientific impact in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Findings

Identification of 25-50 target planetary systems for spectroscopic study

Detection of key biosignature gases like CO2, H2O, CH4, and O3

Technologies required are mostly mature or near maturity

Abstract

The discovery of extra-solar planets is one of the greatest achievements of modern astronomy. The detection of planets with a wide range of masses demonstrates that extra-solar planets of low mass exist. In this paper we describe a mission, called Darwin, whose primary goal is the search for, and characterization of, terrestrial extrasolar planets and the search for life. Accomplishing the mission objectives will require collaborative science across disciplines including astrophysics, planetary sciences, chemistry and microbiology. Darwin is designed to detect and perform spectroscopic analysis of rocky planets similar to the Earth at mid-infrared wavelengths (6 - 20 micron), where an advantageous contrast ratio between star and planet occurs. The baseline mission lasts 5 years and consists of approximately 200 individual target stars. Among these, 25 to 50 planetary systems can be studied spectroscopically, searching for gases such as CO2, H2O, CH4 and O3. Many of the key technologies required for the construction of Darwin have already been demonstrated and the remainder are estimated to be mature in the near future. Darwin is a mission that will ignite intense interest in both the research community and the wider public.