The Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope I: Introduction

TL;DR

The paper introduces MIRI, a versatile mid-infrared instrument on JWST, highlighting its capabilities and potential scientific applications in exoplanet imaging, star formation, and galaxy evolution.

Contribution

This paper presents an overview of MIRI's design, capabilities, and scientific potential, serving as the first in a series detailing the instrument.

Findings

MIRI offers unprecedented sensitivity and resolution in the mid-infrared.

It enables diverse observations including exoplanet imaging and galaxy characterization.

The instrument's versatility supports a wide range of astrophysical studies.

Abstract

MIRI (the Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)) operates from 5 to 28.5 microns and combines over this range: 1.) unprecedented sensitivity levels; 2.) sub-arcsec angular resolution; 3.) freedom from atmospheric interference; 4.) the inherent stability of observing in space; and 5.) a suite of versatile capabilities including imaging, low and medium resolution spectroscopy (with an integral field unit), and coronagraphy. We illustrate the potential uses of this unique combination of capabilities with various science examples: 1.) imaging exoplanets; 2.) transit and eclipse spectroscopy of exoplanets; 3.) probing the first stages of star and planet formation, including identifying bioactive molecules; 4.) determining star formation rates and mass growth as galaxies are assembled; and 5.) characterizing the youngest massive galaxies. This paper is the introduction to a series of ten covering all aspects of the instrument.