JASMINE: Near-Infrared Astrometry and Time Series Photometry Science

TL;DR

JASMINE is a planned Japanese space mission that will perform near-infrared astrometry and time-series photometry to study the Milky Way's core and search for Earth-like exoplanets around M dwarfs, filling a niche in space-based NIR observations.

Contribution

It introduces the first dedicated NIR astrometry space mission, detailing its instrument design and scientific goals for Galactic archaeology and exoplanet discovery.

Findings

First NIR astrometry space mission planned.

Potential to study exoplanets, variable stars, and black holes.

Synergies with other astronomical missions.

Abstract

Japan Astrometry Satellite Mission for INfrared Exploration (JASMINE) is a planned M-class science space mission by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. JASMINE has two main science goals. One is the Galactic archaeology with Galactic Center Survey, which aims to reveal the Milky Way's central core structure and formation history from Gaia-level (~25 $\mu$as) astrometry in the Near-Infrared (NIR) Hw-band (1.0-1.6 $\mu$m). The other is the Exoplanet Survey, which aims to discover transiting Earth-like exoplanets in the habitable zone from NIR time-series photometry of M dwarfs when the Galactic center is not accessible. We introduce the mission, review many science objectives, and present the instrument concept. JASMINE will be the first dedicated NIR astrometry space mission and provide precise astrometric information of the stars in the Galactic center, taking advantage of the significantly lower extinction in the NIR. The precise astrometry is obtained by taking many short-exposure images. Hence, the JASMINE Galactic center survey data will be valuable for studies of exoplanet transits, asteroseismology, variable stars and microlensing studies, including discovery of (intermediate mass) black holes. We highlight a swath of such potential science, and also describe synergies with other missions.