Habitable worlds with JWST: transit spectroscopy of the TRAPPIST-1 system?

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential of JWST to detect atmospheric features, like ozone, on the habitable-zone planets of TRAPPIST-1 through transit spectroscopy, based on current models and expected observation counts.

Contribution

It provides estimates of JWST's capability to detect atmospheric ozone on TRAPPIST-1 planets with specific transit observations, informing future observational strategies.

Findings

Ozone detection is feasible with 60 transits for planet 1b.

Ozone detection is feasible with 30 transits for planets 1c and 1d.

Earth-like ozone levels could be identified if present.

Abstract

The recent discovery of three Earth-sized, potentially habitable planets around a nearby cool star, TRAPPIST-1, has provided three key targets for the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Depending on their atmospheric characteristics and precise orbit configurations, it is possible that any of the three planets may be in the liquid water habitable zone, meaning that they may be capable of supporting life. We find that present-day Earth levels of ozone, if present, would be detectable if JWST observes 60 transits for innermost planet 1b and 30 transits for 1c and 1d.