Abstract

We propose that an array of $4\times 4$ small-diameter telescopes, possibly 1 m in radius, be placed on the far side of the Moon for continuous monitoring of nearby stars for the existence of a planetary companion, similar to the Earth, and feasible for human colonization. The advantages of this location include long intervals of darkness, availability of a rigid platform in the form of a moon body, and most importantly, the absence of the atmosphere that allows the complete transmission of radiation in the spectral range from UV to millimeter waves. The task is facilitated in that the telescopes would act as light “buckets” to collect photons during long integration periods. All other technology has already been demonstrated, as humans in person delivered optical elements to the Moon’s surface during the Apollo era. The disadvantages are primarily operational, in terms of requiring the establishment of a human habitat on the Moon. Likewise, all aspects of constructing a large 75 m by 75 m mirror array on the Moon’s surface will be challenging. Simultaneously, the decreased gravity requires less effort and less energy to perform the construction tasks. The absence of atmosphere permits the search to extend from less than 10 to 300 μm to find Earth-like or even much colder planets.

© 2016 Optical Society of America

Comparison of linear and rotationally shearing interferometric layouts for extrasolar planet detection from space

Marija Strojnik and Gonzalo Paez
Appl. Opt. 42(29) 5897-5905 (2003)

Optical Problems of Television Recording of the Moon and Planets from Approaching Spacecraft

E. P. Martz
Appl. Opt. 2(1) 41-50 (1963)

Simulated interferometric patterns generated by a nearby star–planet system and detected by a rotational shearing interferometer

Marija Strojnik and Gonzalo Paez
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 16(8) 2019-2024 (1999)

Signal generated by an extra-solar-system planet detected by a rotating rotationally shearing interferometer

Marija S. Scholl
J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 13(7) 1584-1592 (1996)

High-order adaptive optics requirements for direct detection of extrasolar planets: Application to the SPHERE instrument

T. Fusco, G. Rousset, J.-F Sauvage, C. Petit, J.-L Beuzit, K. Dohlen, D. Mouillet, J. Charton, M. Nicolle, M. Kasper, P. Baudoz, and P. Puget
Opt. Express 14(17) 7515-7534 (2006)