JWST Telescope Scientist Team
The JWST Telescope Scientist Team, led by AURA President Matt Mountain, has provided scientific support of the Webb Observatory development since 2002. The team has access to 210 hours of Guaranteed Time Observer time, which will be used to address three key subject areas through different observational techniques:
- Characterization of the exoplanet atmospheres of a hot Jupiter, a warm Neptune, and a super Earth, through transit and eclipse spectroscopy
- Characterization of exoplanet systems, debris disks, and brown dwarfs, through coronagraphic imaging
- Characterization of the stellar proper motion kinematics of Local Group dwarf galaxies and the Galactic Center through astrometric imaging
The joint goal of these studies is to scientifically demonstrate the telescope performance after JWST launch. The results will provide new insights into exoplanet atmospheres, systems, and formation, as well as into galaxy formation, the characteristics of dark matter, and the black hole in the Galactic Center.
Website: JWST Telescope Scientist Team
Leads: Roeland van der Marel, Marshall Perrin, Jeff Valenti
Research Topics:
- Exoplanet Characterization
- Transiting Exoplanets
- Exoplanet Atmospheres
- High Contrast Imaging
- Coronagraphs
- Brown Dwarfs
- Circumstellar Disks
- Proper Motions
- Local Group Galaxies
- Galactic Center
- Galactic Dynamics
Seminars/Journal Club: ESPF series
Related Missions & Instruments: JWST
Related Lab: Makidon Lab
Related Programs: Extrasolar Planetary Systems Imaging Group (EPSIG), High-resolution Space Telescope Proper Motion Collaboration (HSTPROMO)
Selected Publications: JWST Telescope Scientists Team Papers