NIRISS aperture masking interferometry: an overview of science opportunities

TL;DR

NIRISS aperture masking interferometry on JWST offers unprecedented high-resolution imaging in the 2.7-4.8μm range, enabling new exoplanet and AGN studies by detecting thermal emissions and characterizing planetary fluxes.

Contribution

This paper provides an overview of the science opportunities enabled by NIRISS AMI mode on JWST, highlighting its unique capabilities for exoplanet and AGN research.

Findings

Enables detection of thermal emission from young massive exoplanets.

Allows characterization of exoplanet fluxes and masses.

Facilitates study of AGN nuclear environments.

Abstract

JWST's Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) includes an Aperture Masking Interferometry (AMI) mode designed to be used between 2.7{\mu}m and 4.8{\mu}m. At these wavelengths, it will have the highest angular resolution of any mode on JWST, and, for faint targets, of any existing or planned infrastructure. NIRISS AMI is uniquely suited to detect thermal emission of young massive planets and will permit the characterization of the mid-IR flux of exoplanets discovered by the GPI and SPHERE adaptive optics surveys. It will also directly detect massive planets found by GAIA through astrometric accelerations, providing the first opportunity ever to get both a mass and a flux measurement for non-transiting giant planets. NIRISS AMI will also enable the study of the nuclear environment of AGNs.