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The case for a rectangular format space telescope for finding exoplanets
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DOI：10.3389/fspas.2025.1441984.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
We suggest that rectangular primary-mirror telescopes provide a clearer path to discovering habitable worlds than other designs currently being pursued. We show that a simple infrared (λ∼10 μm) telescope design with a rectangular mirror 20 m in length and 1 m in width; combined with technology already developed for JWST; can discover ∼11 habitable exoplanets and measure ozone in their atmospheres in a mission of ∼1 year. A mission of ∼3.5 years could plausibly discover ∼27 habitable exoplanets closer than 10 pc to the Earth; and determine whether there is ozone in their atmospheres. A square primary mirror with the same collecting area cannot resolve exoplanets that are within 0.23″ of the host star; making it impossible to detect most of the nearby Earth-like exoplanets. The idea of collecting light with a high aspect ratio rectangular mirror could be used at any wavelength. It is particularly useful for measuring point sources with very small angular separations; as is required for exoplanet observation.
Keywords:
rectangular mirror
exoplanet detection
habitable worlds
ozone detection
infrared telescope
Journal
F
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