SIRTF is an 85 cm cryogenic telescope (operated at 5.5 K) to be launched
into a heliocentric orbit in 2001 or 2002, with a 2.5-year lifetime. Three
instrument complexes will provide imaging, spectroscopic, and photometric
capabilities from 4 to 160 µm wavelength. SIRTF will search for large
planets around nearby stars, and will probe circumstellar dust complexes where
planet formation is in progress. The majority of the time on SIRTF will be
available to the astronomical community at large on a competitive basis, for
individual research programs and for pursuit of legacy science projects
currently being defined. This presentation will focus on SIRTF planet detection
strategies and will provide an update on the technical aspects of the SIRTF
instrumental capabilities.
