High-precision photometry with Ariel

Gyula Szabo, Szilard Kalman, Theodor Pribula, Antonio Claret, Lorenzo Mugnai, Enzo Pascale, Dave Waltham, Luca Borsato, Zoltan Garai, Robert Szabo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this paper we describe the photometry instruments of Ariel, consisting of the VISPhot, FGS1 and FGS2 photometers in the visual and mid-IR wavelength. These photometers have their own cadence, which can be independent from each other and the cadence of the spectral instruments. Ariel will be capable to do high cadence and high precision photometry in independent bands. There is also a possibility for synthetic Jsynth , Hsynth , and wide-band thermal infrared photometry from spectroscopic data. Although the cadence of the synthetic bands will be identical to that of the spectrographs, the precision of synthetic photometry in the suggested synthetic bands will be at least as precise as the optical data. We present the accuracy of these instruments. We also review selected fields of new science which will be opened up by the possibility of high cadence multiband space photometry, including stellar rotation, spin-orbit misalignment, orbital precession, planetary rotation and oblateness, tidal distortions, rings, and moons.
Original languageEnglish
JournalExperimental Astronomy
Early online date5 Aug 2021
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 5 Aug 2021

Cite this