The Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope, I: Introduction

G. H. Rieke, G. S. Wright, T. Böker, J. Bouwman, L. Colina, Alistair Glasse, K. D. Gordon, T. P. Greene, Manuel Guedel, Th Henning, K. Justtanont, P-O Lagage, M. E. Meixner, Hans Ulrik Nørgaard-Nielsen, T. P. Ray, M. E. Ressler, E. F. van Dishoeck, C. Waelkens

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    Abstract

    MIRI (the Mid-Infrared Instrument for the James Webb Space Telescope [JWST]) operates from 5 to 28: 5 μm and combines over this range: (1) unprecedented sensitivity levels; (2) subarcsecond angular resolution; (3) freedom from atmospheric interference; (4) the inherent stability of observing in space; and (5) a suite of versatile capabilities including imaging, low- and medium-resolution spectroscopy (with an integral field unit), and coronagraphy. We illustrate the potential uses of this unique combination of capabilities with various science examples: (1) imaging exoplanets; (2) transit and eclipse spectroscopy of exoplanets; (3) probing the first stages of star and planet formation, including identifying bioactive molecules; (4) determining star formation rates and mass growth as galaxies are assembled; and (5) characterizing the youngest massive galaxies.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
    Volume127
    Issue number953
    Pages (from-to)584-594
    ISSN0004-6280
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

    Keywords

    • Space vehicles: instruments

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