2019/05/18 by Philip Horzempa, Horzempa, Philip
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1905.07556
openalex publication_date 2019/05/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
High Definition Astrometry (0.1 - 1.0 micro-arcseconds) will open a new window into neighboring planetary systems. For the first time, the realm of temperate terrestrial worlds will be explored. This includes Earth Analogs, thereby allowing the value of eta-Earth to be directly determined, without resort to extrapolation. High Definition Astrometry will provide a means to confirm the existence of Radial Velocity (RV) planets while, at the same time, measuring true mass, along with orbit inclination and radius, i.e., system architecture. Planetary systems not amenable to RV search, such as those in a "face-on" orientation, will be surveyed for the first time. Extreme Precision Astrometry is not only useful, but is essential to the future of exoplanet research.