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The science case for exoplanets and star formation using mid-IR instrumentation at the OWL telescope

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 May 2006

R. Lenzen
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Königstuhl 17 69117 Heidelberg, Germany, email: lenzen@mpia.de
B. Brandl
Affiliation:
Leiden Observatory, P.O. Box 9513, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands, email: brandl@strw.leidenuniv.nl
W. Brandner
Affiliation:
Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Königstuhl 17 69117 Heidelberg, Germany, email: lenzen@mpia.de
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Abstract

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A Mid-IR instrumentation study for OWL has been performed by the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie in Heidelberg (Germany), and a Dutch consortium led by the Leiden Observatory (The Netherlands). MIR imaging and spectroscopic observational capabilities are compared to contemporary IR to sub-millimeter facilities, especially concentrating on the MIR-capabilities of JWST(MIRI). Our best effort calculation of the sensitivity for both MIR imager and spectrograph indicate a huge discovery potential in numerous areas from our planetary system to the high redshift Universe. Here we focus on the field of exo-planets and nearby star formation. Starting with the science cases, top level requirements are deduced and summarized including MIR instrumental constrains for the telescope itself.