Technology Needs for Detecting Life Beyond the Solar System: A White Paper in Support of the Astrobiology Science Strategy
Nicholas Siegler, Matthew Bolcar, Brendan P Crill, Shawn, Domagal-Goldman, Eric Mamajek, Karl Stapelfeldt

TL;DR
This white paper identifies key technological challenges and necessary advancements for detecting biosignatures and measuring planetary masses in exoplanet systems, crucial for discovering extraterrestrial life.
Contribution
It outlines specific technology gaps and performance improvements needed for remote exoplanet characterization, supporting future astrobiology missions.
Findings
Spectral signatures of biosignature gases require 1e-10 starlight suppression.
Mass measurements can be achieved via radial velocity or astrometry.
Technological performance improvements are needed by 1-2 orders of magnitude.
Abstract
In support of the Astrobiology Science Strategy, this whitepaper outlines some key technology challenges pertaining to the remote search for life in exoplanetary systems. Finding evidence for life on rocky planets outside of our solar system requires new technical capabilities for the key measurements of spectral signatures of biosignature gases, and of planetary mass measurement. Spectra of Earth-like planets can be directly measured in reflected stellar light in the visible band or near-infrared using a factor 1e-10 starlight suppression with occulters, either internal (coronagraph) or external (starshade). Absorption and emission (reflected and thermal) spectra can be obtained in the mid-infrared of rocky planets transiting M-dwarfs via spectroscopy of the transit and secondary eclipse, respectively. Mass can be measured from the star's reflex motion, the reflex motion of a star, via…
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Taxonomy
TopicsStellar, planetary, and galactic studies · Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
