Mapping the observable sky for a Remote Occulter working with ground-based telescopes

Abstract

We present the optical requirement-driven observational constraints of the Remote Occulter, an orbiting starshade designed to work with ground-based telescopes to produce visible-band images and spectra of temperate planets around Sun-like stars. We then utilize these constraints to develop and present numerical simulations of time-dependent observable sky regions along with each region's nightly available exposure duration and show that nearly the entire sky could be observed for up to 8 h a night. We further examine how changes introduced to our established constraints will impact such observational windows and discuss their implications, setting the ground for upcoming studies aiming to further investigate the Remote Occulter mission capabilities and architecture.