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| Paper: |
Exozodiacal Disk Detection Potential with the Keck Interferometer |
| Volume: |
196, Thermal Emission Spectroscopy and Analysis of Dust, Disks, and Regoliths |
| Page: |
357 |
| Authors: |
Serabyn, E.; Colavita, M. M.; Beichman, C. A. |
| Abstract: |
If the dust content of nearby solar systems is comparable to or larger than that of our own zodiacal disk, the thermal emission from such ``exozodiacal'' dust disks will significantly outshine planetary companions to nearby stars. As such, the characterization of flux levels from exozodiacal disks is a vital first step on the road to direct planet detection. To this end, a nulling interferometry mode is being implemented on the forthcoming Keck Interferometer. By interferometrically nulling out the mid-infrared radiation from the central star, attendant thermal emission from exozodiacal dust will be rendered more readily detectable. In the following, we estimate the sensitivity of the Keck interferometer to such exozodiacal dust emission. |
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