Infrared Spectroscopy of Extrasolar and Solar System Objects

Twinkle is a visible and infrared spectroscopy satellite conceived to study exoplanets, stars, stellar discs and Solar System objects. Via a multi-year collaborative survey, with thousands of hours available each year, Twinkle will unlock a significant time domain astronomy opportunity and provide key insights into the composition and evolution of objects within and beyond our Solar System.

Extrasolar & Solar System Science

IR Spectroscopy (0.5-4.5 μm)

Collaborative 3-Year Survey

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Science Opportunity

Twinkle will deliver visible and infrared spectroscopy of thousands of targets, enabling scientists to produce transformative research on exoplanet atmospheres, Solar System objects, stars and stellar discs. Twinkle’s unique observing capabilities will empower scientists to break new ground in Extrasolar and Solar System science.

Exoplanets

Thousands of exoplanets have now been discovered by direct imaging, astrometry, radial velocity, transit observations, or microlensing, but relatively few have been characterised.

Twinkle will study a wide range of exoplanets using transmission and emission spectroscopy to understand atmospheric properties, such as chemical abundances, metallicity, elemental ratios, disequilibrium chemistry, clouds, and hazes. Twinkle’s long-term observations will reveal variability in atmospheric composition over stellar cycles and unlock thermal structure, enabling 2D and 3D mapping.

Stars

Stellar models do not accurately represent the diverse sample of spectral types seen in the galaxy and are not capable of accurately explaining the stellar activity seen in current observations.

Twinkle will conduct long baseline observations and detailed studies of stars that will provide insights into stellar evolution, stellar flares, stellar characterisation and solar system formation. It will also disentangle exoplanet and star observations, answering fundamental challenges, refining atmospheric models, and deepening our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.

Brown Dwarfs

Brown Dwarfs represent an important transition between exoplanets and stars, yet the L-T transition is not well understood and the impact clouds have has not been fully explored.

Twinkle will probe brown dwarf cloud/haze cover and atmospheric structure, including studying temperature-pressure profiles, and chemical compositions to better understand the role these have on their evolution and formation. Twinkle will also contribute to studying the effect of Brown Dwarf magnetic fields.

Protoplanetary Discs

Protoplanetary disc composition and location determine the formation and composition of subsequent planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. Understanding the evolution of discs can therefore unlock detailed information about the evolution of a system.

Twinkle will conduct an extensive study of Protoplanetary Discs for various evolutionary stages to reveal their structural and chemical composition. Twinkle’s key aims are to understand the influence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the development and formation of planets and discs. Additionally, studies of discs in large clusters and OB associations, will further our understanding of mass-loss rates due to photo-evaporative disc winds.

Moons

Most planets in our Solar System have at least one satellite and the study of these objects can reveal critical information about the role they play in planet formation and processes.

Twinkle’s survey programme can dedicate hundreds of hours to observations of planetary moons. Simultaneous observations from ground and space will unlock hydration and CO₂ ice band features, and provide insights into the distribution of water, metals, and organics on moons throughout our Solar System. Additionally, the Twinkle wavelength range may enable the detection of condensed O₂ and SO₂.

Asteroids & Comets

Space-based observations of asteroids and comets are crucial to avoid contamination from the atmosphere that masks key hydration features.

Twinkle will capture high SNR spectra for thousands of targets, characterising asteroid and comet mineralogy and providing rotationally-resolved spectra. As a space-based infrared facility, Twinkle is uniquely placed to conduct broad-wavelength observations that cover multiple absorption features. This large, consistent dataset will reveal trends in the mineralogy of asteroid families and composition of comets which will shed light on the formation and evolution of our solar system, probing its primordial origins.

The Satellite

Twinkle is being designed in collaboration with leading satellite and instrument manufacturers Airbus and ABB. The high-heritage approach to the design and component selection will deliver a high-specification astronomy satellite within the short timeframes usually associated with commercial satellites. The satellite will operate in a low-Earth, Sun-synchronous polar orbit, maximising opportunities for science observations along the ecliptic plane.

Survey Programmes

Twinkle’s structured survey programmes will bring together an international collaboration of scientists to study extrasolar and solar system objects, leading to high-impact science publications. Twinkle’s survey science programme will be decided by its members and is open to any scientist worldwide. Scientists and research organisations can access the survey programme via an annual membership plan tailored to suit the needs of individuals, groups and institutions.

Extrasolar Survey

Twinkle will provide a high-quality infrared spectroscopic characterisation of the atmospheres of a population of exoplanets, covering a wide range of planetary types.

Solar System Survey

Twinkle will study the surface composition of thousands of small bodies within our Solar System. This large, consistent dataset will reveal trends in the mineralogy of asteroid families and composition of comets which will shed light on the formation and evolution of our solar system, probing its primordial origins.