WFIRST Coronagraph Exoplanet Scene Simulations
Abstract
The Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) on WFIRST could produce direct images of mature, gas-giant exoplanets orbiting Sun-like stars. To help improve our understanding of the scientific potential of CGI, the WFIRST Exoplanet Imaging Data Challenge seeks to expose scientists to realistic simulations of coronagraph data scenes. The exoplanet system is modeled with Lambertian scattering spheres on Keplerian orbits. We use a combination of ZODIPIC and dustmap to produce scattered light images of exozodiacal debris for a specific planet configuration. The package dustmap in particular allows us to model debris structures in resonance with the planet(s). We include realistic time-varying speckles and pointing errors based on integrated observatory modeling, as well as detector noise. We aim to learn new data analysis techniques from the community in order to maximize the scientific return of the WFIRST Coronagraph Instrument.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #235
- Pub Date:
- January 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AAS...23523002G