The Roman coronagraph community participation program: observation planning

TL;DR

This paper discusses the observation planning efforts for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's Coronagraphic Instrument, focusing on target selection, catalog expansion, and preparatory observations during its technology demonstration phase.

Contribution

It details the formation and activities of the Observation Planning working group, including target modeling and catalog development for exoplanet and disk observations.

Findings

Expanded target and reference catalogs.

Modeling of astrophysical targets within instrument sensitivity.

Preliminary observations of high-priority targets.

Abstract

The Coronagraphic Instrument onboard the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is an important stepping stone towards the characterization of habitable, rocky exoplanets. In a technology demonstration phase conducted during the first 18 months of the mission (expected to launch in late 2026), novel starlight suppression technology may enable direct imaging of a Jupiter analog in reflected light. Here we summarize the current activities of the Observation Planning working group formed as part of the Community Participation Program. This working group is responsible for target selection and observation planning of both science and calibration targets in the technology demonstration phase of the Roman Coronagraph. We will discuss the ongoing efforts to expand target and reference catalogs, and to model astrophysical targets (exoplanets and circumstellar disks) within the Coronagraph's expected sensitivity. We will also present preparatory observations of high priority targets.