Twinkle: a low-Earth orbit, visible and infrared observatory for exoplanet and solar system spectroscopy

The Twinkle Space Mission is a space-based observatory that has been conceived to measure the atmospheric composition of exoplanets, stars and solar system objects. Twinkle’s collaborative multi-year global survey programmes will deliver visible and infrared spectroscopy of thousands of objects within and beyond our solar system, enabling participating scientists to produce world-leading research in planetary and exoplanetary science.

 

Twinkle’s rapid pointing and non-sidereal tracking capabilities will enable the observation of a diverse array of Solar System objects, including asteroids and comets. Twinkle aims to provide a visible and near-infrared (0.5-4.5 micron) spectroscopic population study of asteroids and comets to study their surface composition and monitor activity. Its wavelength coverage and position above the atmosphere will make it particularly well-suited for studying hydration features that are obscured by telluric lines from the ground as well as searching for other spectral signatures such as organics, silicates and CO₂.

I will present an overview of Twinkle’s capabilities and discuss the broad range of targets the mission could observe, including the measurements it will take to support JAXA's Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission, demonstrating the broad scientific potential of the spacecraft.