Atmospheric characterization of cold exoplanets using a 1.5-m space coronagraph

Abstract

We present numerical results of the science performance of the SPICES mission, which aims to characterize the spectro-polarimetric properties of cold exoplanets and circumstellar disks in the visible. We focus on the instrument ability to retrieve the spectral signatures of molecular species, clouds and surface of super-Earths in the habitable zone of solar-type stars. Considering realistic reflected planet spectra and instrument limitation, we show that SPICES could analyse the atmosphere and surface of a few super-Earths within 5 pc of the Sun. Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2014.