High-Precision Astrometry for Exoplanet Detection

High-precision astrometry is a powerful tool for detecting and characterizing Earth-like exoplanets within the habitable zones of nearby solar-type stars. This contribution focuses on the scientific objectives and instrumental implementation of high-precision astrometry for future missions, such as a medium-class mission like the Theia mission proposed to the European Space Agency (ESA) or an astrometric mode of the High Resolution Imager (HRI) instrument on NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO).

We will present scientific goals of these missions, including detecting Earth-mass exoplanets through sub-microarcsecond astrometric measurements and exploring the complementary role of astrometry in studying exoplanetary systems, their formation, and their dynamical environments. We will also discuss the instrumental challenges and solutions required to achieve the necessary precision, including detector calibration, optical distortion correction, and differential astrometry techniques.

Addressing both the scientific potential and technical implementation highlights how next-generation astrometric instruments will contribute to exoplanet discovery and characterization. High-precision astrometry is a powerful tool for detecting and characterizing Earth-like exoplanets in the habitable zones of nearby solar-type stars.