General astrophysics with the optical terrestrial planet finder mission

Abstract

The Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) mission is being designed to directly detect terrestrial planets in the habitable zones around nearby FGK stars, and to spectrally characterize them for the presence of biomarkers. TPF is now planned as two missions: a ∼ × 3.5 m optical coronagraphic telescope (TPF-C) to fly circa 2014; and a formation-flying infrared nulling interferometer (TPF-I) to follow several years later. While high contrast performance and planet-finding will remain the primary science drivers for both missions, the project has begun to consider possible extensions to their capabilities that would enable progress in other important areas of astrophysics. For example, deep extragalactic surveys could be enabled by adding a camera with a several arcminute field of view to TPF-C. Here, we give an overview of the TPF-C project, and offer initial suggestions for its application to general astrophysics.