Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
The Future of Rocky Worlds Exploration. |
| Authors: |
Lagage, Pierre-Olivier1 (AUTHOR) pierre-olivier.lagage@cea.fr, Mandell, Avi2 (AUTHOR) avi.mandell@nasa.gov, Giménez, Alvaro3 (AUTHOR) alvaro.gimenez@csic.es, Angerhausen, Daniel4 (AUTHOR) daniel.angerhausen@gmail.com, Bolmont, Emeline5,6 (AUTHOR) emeline.bolmont@unige.ch, Ducrot, Elsa1 (AUTHOR) elsa.ducrot@cea.fr, Hu, Renyu7 (AUTHOR) renyu.hu@jpl.nasa.gov, Roberge, Aki2 (AUTHOR) aki.roberge-1@nasa.gov |
| Source: |
Space Science Reviews. Jun2026, Vol. 222 Issue 4, p1-23. 23p. |
| Subjects: |
Extrasolar planets, Habitable planets, Space astronomy, Infrared astronomy, Atmosphere, Very large telescopes, James Webb Space Telescope (Spacecraft), Biosignatures (Origin of life) |
| Abstract: |
This article reviews the short-, medium-, and long-term prospects for characterizing rocky exoplanets, a central goal of contemporary astrophysics. The primary objectives are to determine whether these planets host atmospheres; if so, to constrain their molecular composition and search for potential biosignatures; if not, to infer their surface composition and thereby enabling a form of exo-geology. In the near term, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will continue to lead this effort through photometric and spectroscopic observations of transits, eclipses, and phase curves, primarily targeting rocky exoplanets orbiting M dwarfs, including a limited number within their habitable zones. By the early 2030s, Giant Segmented-Mirror Telescopes (GSMTs) will provide the combination of high angular resolution, high contrast, and high spectral resolution needed to characterize rocky exoplanets around nearby M dwarfs via direct imaging, significantly broadening the accessible target sample and enabling detailed atmospheric and surface studies. Extending these investigations to rocky exoplanets orbiting solar-type stars, particularly those within habitable zones, will require the launch of next-generation space observatories in the 2040s, such as the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), optimized for ultraviolet-to-near-infrared observations, and the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE), designed for mid-infrared interferometry. In parallel, characterizing the broader planetary environment — including host stars and additional companions — will provide essential context. Missions such as Gaia (astrometric detection of companions), PLATO, Earth 2.0 (stellar characterization via asteroseismology), and Ariel (population-level atmospheric studies) will offer critical complementary insights into the architectures and habitability of nearby planetary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: |
Engineering Source |
