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This artist's concept appeared on the Feb. 23, 2017 cover of the journal Nature announcing that the nearby star TRAPPIST-1, an ultra-cool dwarf, has seven Earth-sized planets orbiting it.

The first six flight ready James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror segments are prepped to begin final cryogenic testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn

With the discovery of an eighth planet, the Kepler-90 system is the first to tie with our solar system in number of planets.

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This artist's concept appeared on the Feb. 23, 2017 cover of the journal Nature announcing that the nearby star TRAPPIST-1, an ultra-cool dwarf, has seven Earth-sized planets orbiting it.NASA/JPL-Caltech

The first six flight ready James Webb Space Telescope primary mirror segments are prepped to begin final cryogenic testing at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn NASA/Chris Gunn

With the discovery of an eighth planet, the Kepler-90 system is the first to tie with our solar system in number of planets. Credits: NASA/Wendy StenzelNASA/Wendy Stenzel

Sept. 21, 2018

Program News

Exoplanet Science Strategy

The National Academy of Sciences Engineering and Medicine has released the Exoplanet Science Strategy.

Written byAaron GronstalSourceNAS

The National Academy of Sciences Engineering and Medicine (NAS) has released the Exoplanet Science Strategy. This strategy document was developed in preparation, and as input, for the upcoming decadal surveys in astronomy and astrophysics and planetary science.

The Exoplanet Strategy is available as a book from the National Academy of Science Engineering and Medicine at:
http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/CurrentProjects/SSB_180659.

The entire book and individual chapters can be downloaded as pdfs. A hard copy of the book is also available from the NAS for purchase.

Over 18 months an ad hoc committee appointed by the NAS has been preparing the Exoplanet Science Strategy. Information was gathered through Community White Papers submitted between January 22, 2018 thru March 9, 2018. The submitted papers are available to view through the NAS.

An artist’s impression of a habitable exoplanet. Seasonal changes and the presence of disequilibrium gases in such a planet’s atmosphere could indicate the existence of life there.

An artist’s impression of a habitable exoplanet.Image credit: NASA Ames/SETI Institute/JPL–Caltech.

The purpose of the Exoplanet Science Strategy is to survey the status of the field in exoplanet research, which includes the use of current and upcoming facilities, like TESS and the James Webb Space Telescope, and the future implementation of planned facilities like WFIRST. The document defines the key scientific questions and goals for the field in the near-, medium-, and far-term; and will help shape the future of exoplanet research. The strategy includes the search for life in the Universe, and outlines opportunities for cross-discipline activities in Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics, and planetary science.

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine took an in-depth look at what NASA, the astronomy community and the nation need to grow the burgeoning science of exoplanets — planets outside our solar system that orbit a star.

Image credit: NAS.