Silvia Scheithauer
A5059320137- Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Spectroscopy and Laser Applications
- Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Atmospheric Ozone and Climate
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Inertial Sensor and Navigation
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Geophysics and Sensor Technology
- Advanced optical system design
- Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics
- Optical Wireless Communication Technologies
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories
- Optical Systems and Laser Technology
Max Planck Institute for Astronomy
2016-2025
Max Planck Society
2007-2021
Max Planck Innovation
2019-2021
University of Bremen
2001-2006
GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences
2005
SpaceTech (Germany)
2004-2005
University of Potsdam
2004
The highly elliptical, 16-year-period orbit of the star S2 around massive black hole candidate Sgr A ✻ is a sensitive probe gravitational field in Galactic centre. Near pericentre at 120 AU ≈ 1400 Schwarzschild radii, has an orbital speed ≈7650 km s −1 , such that first-order effects Special and General Relativity have now become detectable with current capabilities. Over past 26 years, we monitored radial velocity motion on sky S2, mainly SINFONI NACO adaptive optics instruments ESO Very...
The star S2 orbiting the compact radio source Sgr A* is a precision probe of gravitational field around closest massive black hole (candidate). Over last 2.7 decades we have monitored star’s radial velocity and motion on sky, mainly with SINFONI NACO adaptive optics (AO) instruments ESO VLT, since 2017, four-telescope interferometric beam combiner instrument GRAVITY. In this Letter report first detection General Relativity (GR) Schwarzschild Precession (SP) in S2’s orbit. Owing to its highly...
We present a 0.16% precise and 0.27% accurate determination of R0, the distance to Galactic Center. Our measurement uses star S2 on its 16-year orbit around massive black hole Sgr A* that we followed astrometrically spectroscopically for 27 years. Since 2017, added near-infrared interferometry with VLTI beam combiner GRAVITY, yielding direct separation vector between an accuracy as good 20 micro-arcsec in best cases. passed pericenter highly eccentric May 2018, passage dense sampling...
The stars orbiting the compact radio source Sgr A* in Galactic Centre are precision probes of gravitational field around closest massive black hole. In addition to adaptive optics assisted astrometry (with NACO / VLT) and spectroscopy SINFONI VLT, NIRC2 Keck GNIRS Gemini) over three decades, since 2016/2017 we have obtained 30-100 mu-as with four-telescope interferometric beam combiner GRAVITY VLTI reaching a sensitivity mK = 20 when combining data from one night. We present simultaneous...
Abstract The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) extends the reach of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to 28.5 μ m. It provides subarcsecond-resolution imaging, high sensitivity coronagraphy, and spectroscopy at resolutions λ /Δ ∼ 100–3500, with high-resolution mode employing an integral field unit provide spatial data cubes. resulting broad suite capabilities will enable huge advances in studies over this wavelength range. This overview describes history acquiring capability for JWST. discusses...
The GRAVITY instrument on the ESO VLTI pioneers field of high-precision near-infrared interferometry by providing astrometry at $10 - 100\,\mu$as level. Measurements such high precision crucially depend control systematic effects. Here, we investigate how aberrations introduced small optical imperfections along path from telescope to detector affect astrometry. We develop an analytical model that describes impact measurement complex visibilities. Our formalism accounts for pupil-plane and...
We present JWST-MIRI MRS spectra of the protoplanetary disk around low-mass T Tauri star GW Lup from MIRI mid-INfrared Disk Survey (MINDS) GTO program. Emission $^{12}$CO$_{2}$, $^{13}$CO$_{2}$, H$_{2}$O, HCN, C$_{2}$H$_{2}$, and OH is identified with $^{13}$CO$_{2}$ being detected for first time in a disk. characterize chemical physical conditions inner few au using these molecules as probes. The spectral resolution paired high signal-to-noise data essential to identify species determine...
Terrestrial and sub-Neptune planets are expected to form in the inner ($<10~$AU) regions of protoplanetary disks. Water plays a key role their formation, although it is yet unclear whether water molecules formed in-situ or transported from outer disk. So far Spitzer Space Telescope observations have only provided luminosity upper limits for dust-depleted disks, similar PDS 70, first system with direct confirmation protoplanet presence. Here we report JWST benchmark target search disk hosting...
Abstract The study of protoplanetary disks has become increasingly important with the Kepler satellite finding that exoplanets are ubiquitous around stars in our galaxy and discovery enormous diversity planetary system architectures planet properties. High-resolution near-IR ALMA images show strong evidence for ongoing formation young disks. JWST MIRI mid-INfrared Disk Survey (MINDS) aims to (1) investigate chemical inventory terrestrial planet-forming zone across stellar spectral type, (2)...
The Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) provides measurements over wavelength range 5 to 28.5 μm. MIRI has, within a single "package," four key scientific functions: photometric imaging, coronagraphy, single-source low-spectral resolving power (R ∼ 100) spectroscopy, and medium-resolving 1500 3500) integral field spectroscopy. An associated cooler system maintains at its operating temperature of < 6.7 K. This paper describes driving principles behind...
To date, infrared interferometry at best achieved contrast ratios of a few times $10^{-4}$ on bright targets. GRAVITY, with its dual-field mode, is now capable high observations, enabling the direct observation exoplanets. We demonstrate technique HR8799, young planetary system composed four known giant used GRAVITY fringe tracker to lock fringes central star, and integrated off-axis HR8799e planet situated 390 mas from star. Data reduction included post-processing remove flux leaking star...
Context. β Pictoris is arguably one of the most studied stellar systems outside our own. Some 30 yr observations have revealed a highly-structured circumstellar disk, with rings, belts, and giant planet: b. However very little known about how this system came into being. Aims. Our objective to estimate C/O ratio in atmosphere b obtain an dynamical mass planet, as well refine its orbital parameters using high-precision astrometry. Methods. We used GRAVITY instrument four 8.2 m telescopes Very...
In this article, we describe the Mid-Infrared Imager Module (MIRIM), which provides broadband imaging in 5–27 μm wavelength range for James Webb Space Telescope. The imager has a pixel scale and total unobstructed view of 74'' × 113''. remainder its nominal 113'' field is occupied by coronagraphs low-resolution spectrometer. We present instrument optical mechanical design. show that test data, as measured during campaigns undertaken at CEA-Saclay, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, NASA Goddard...
Methods used to detect giant exoplanets can be broadly divided into two categories: indirect and direct. Indirect methods are more sensitive planets with a small orbital period, whereas direct detection is orbiting at large distance from their host star. %, thus on long period. This dichotomy makes it difficult combine the techniques single target once. Simultaneous measurements made by offer possibility of determining mass luminosity method testing formation models. Here, we aim show how...
We present K-band interferometric observations of the PDS 70 protoplanets along with their host star using VLTI/GRAVITY. obtained spectra and 100 $\mu$as precision astrometry both b c in two epochs, as well spatially resolving hot inner disk around star. Rejecting unstable orbits, we found a nonzero eccentricity for $0.17 \pm 0.06$, near-circular orbit c, an orbital configuration that is consistent planets migrating into 2:1 mean motion resonance. Enforcing dynamical stability, 95% upper...
Infrared observations of Sgr A* probe the region close to event horizon black hole at Galactic center. These can constrain properties low-luminosity accretion as well that itself. The GRAVITY instrument ESO VLTI has recently detected continuous circular relativistic motion during infrared flares which been interpreted orbital near horizon. Here we analyze astrometric data from these flares, taking into account effects out-of-plane and shear material hole. We have developed a new code predict...
Abstract We present here the first ever mid-infrared spectroscopic time series observation of transiting exoplanet L 168-9 b with Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on James Webb Space Telescope. The data were obtained as part MIRI commissioning activities, to characterize performance Low Resolution Spectroscopy (LRS) mode for these challenging observations. To assess LRS performance, we performed two independent analyses data. find that a single transit reached spectro-photometric precision ∼50...
MIRI/MRS on board the JWST allows us to probe inner regions of protoplanetary disks. Here we examine disk around classical T Tauri star Sz 98, which has an unusually large dust in millimetre with a compact core. We focus H$_2$O emission through both its ro-vibrational and pure rotational emission. Furthermore, compare our chemical findings those obtained for outer from Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations. In order model molecular features spectrum, continuum was...
Very low-mass stars (those <0.3 solar masses) host orbiting terrestrial planets more frequently than other types of stars, but the compositions those are largely unknown. We use mid-infrared spectroscopy with James Webb Space Telescope to investigate chemical composition planet-forming disk around ISO-ChaI 147, a 0.11 solar-mass star. The inner has carbon-rich chemistry: we identify emission from 13 carbon-bearing molecules including ethane and benzene. derive large column densities...
Context . The MRS mode of the JWST-MIRI instrument has been shown to be a powerful tool characterise molecular gas emission inner region planet-forming disks. Investigating their spectra allows us infer composition in these regions and, subsequently, potential atmospheric forming planets. We present observations compact T-Tauri disk, DR Tau, which are complemented by ground-based, high spectral resolution ( R ~ 60 000–90 000) CO ro-vibrational observations. Aims aim this work is investigate...
Context . The MIRI instrument on board JWST is now offering high-contrast imaging capacity at mid-IR wavelengths, thereby opening a completely new field of investigation for characterizing young exoplanetary systems. Aims multiplanet system HR 8799 the first target observed with MIRI’s coronagraph as part MIRI-EC Guaranteed Time Observations (GTO) exoplanet program, launched in November 2022. We obtained deep observations three coronagraphic filters, from ∼10 to 15 µm (F1065C, F1140C,...
Context. Two protoplanets have recently been discovered within the PDS 70 protoplanetary disk. JWST/NIRCam offers a unique opportunity to characterize them and their birth environment at wavelengths difficult access from ground. Aims. We aim image circumstellar of 1.87 $\mu$m 4.83 $\mu$m, assess presence Pa-$\alpha$ emission due accretion onto protoplanets, probe any IR excess indicative heated circumplanetary material. Methods. obtain non-coronagraphic images MINDS (MIRI mid-INfrared Disk...