James Webb Space Telescope Observations of Stellar Occultations by Solar System Bodies and Rings

DOI: 
10.1088/1538-3873/128/959/018011
Publication date: 
01/01/2016
Main author: 
Santos-Sanz, P.
IAA authors: 
Santos-Sanz, P.;Ortiz, J. L.;Duffard, R.
Authors: 
Santos-Sanz, P.;French, R. G.;Pinilla-Alonso, N.;Stansberry, J.;Lin, Z. -Y.;Zhang, Z. -W.;Vilenius, E.;Müller, Th.;Ortiz, J. L.;Braga-Ribas, F.;Bosh, A.;Duffard, R.;Lellouch, E.;Tancredi, G.;Young, L.;Milam, Stefanie N.;the JWST “Occultations” Focus Group
Journal: 
Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
128
Pages: 
1-16
Abstract: 
In this paper, we investigate the opportunities provided by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for significant scientific advances in the study of Solar System bodies and rings using stellar occultations. The strengths and weaknesses of the stellar occultation technique are evaluated in light of JWST's unique capabilities. We identify several possible JWST occultation events by minor bodies and rings and evaluate their potential scientific value. These predictions depend critically on accurate a priori knowledge of the orbit of JWST near the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2 (L2). We also explore the possibility of serendipitous stellar occultations by very small minor bodies as a byproduct of other JWST observing programs. Finally, to optimize the potential scientific return of stellar occultation observations, we identify several characteristics of JWST's orbit and instrumentation that should be taken into account during JWST's development.
Database: 
ADS
SCOPUS
WOK
URL: 
https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/#abs/2016PASP..128a8011S/abstract
ADS Bibcode: 
2016PASP..128a8011S
Keywords: 
Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics