Advances in High-Precision Astrometry for Exoplanet Detection for Astrometric Missions
Abstract
High-precision astrometry is a cornerstone for detecting Earth-like exoplanets in the habitable zones of nearby solar-type stars and probing the nature of dark matter in galactic environments. Achieving sub-microarcsecond accuracy requires unprecedented control over detector morphology, optical distortion, and astrometric measurement techniques. This paper reviews recent progress in characterizing large format detector at the micropixel scale level, calibrating optical distortion using reference stars, and refining differential astrometry methods to detect the faint astrometric signatures of Earth-mass exoplanets. We highlight the latest developments in the RETINA project, which aims to advance the TRL of GIGAPYX 220 MP CMOS detectors from Pyxalis which are critical components for future space missions such as ESA's Theia and NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). The project focuses on precise calibration methods, including Young's fringe projection, to monitor pixel geometry and intra-pixel response across gigapixel-scale focal planes. By integrating these advancements, RETINA seeks to enable astrometric detection of Earth-mass exoplanets with a precision of few tens of micropixels on the focal plane. We discuss the technical strategies, laboratory validations, and system-level integration required to achieve these goals, emphasizing the synergy between detector technology, optical calibration, and mission design. These innovations pave the way for next-generation astrometric instruments capable of transforming our understanding of exoplanetary systems and dark matter dynamics.
Related
- Astrometric planet search around southern ultracool dwarfs. V. Discovery of the exoplanet candidate PALTA-1 b
- Astrometric modeling of unresolved variable binary systems. II. Application to Gaia epoch astrometry of nearby pulsating and convective red giants
- Astrometric planet search around southern ultracool dwarfs: V. Discovery of the exoplanet candidate PALTA-1 b
- Astrometric Evidence for Outer Giant Planets in Known Exoplanet Systems
- Setup and performance of focal-plane characterization benches for high precision astrometry
BibTeX
@misc{malbet2026advances,
title = {{Advances in High-Precision Astrometry for Exoplanet Detection for Astrometric Missions}},
author = {Fabien Malbet and Jerôme Amiaux and Florence Ardellier-Desages and Eric Doumayrou and Pierre-Antoine Frugier and Pierre-Olivier Lagage and Alain Léger and Manon Lizzana and Jérôme Martignac and Julien Michelot and Fabrice Pancher and Thibault Pichon and Samuel Ronayette and Hugo Rousset and Sebastien Soler and Eric Thiébaut},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2611.09657},
eprint = {2611.09657},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2611.09657},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Advances in High-Precision Astrometry for Exoplanet Detection for Astrometric Missions
AU - Fabien Malbet
AU - Jerôme Amiaux
AU - Florence Ardellier-Desages
AU - Eric Doumayrou
AU - Pierre-Antoine Frugier
AU - Pierre-Olivier Lagage
AU - Alain Léger
AU - Manon Lizzana
AU - Jérôme Martignac
AU - Julien Michelot
AU - Fabrice Pancher
AU - Thibault Pichon
AU - Samuel Ronayette
AU - Hugo Rousset
AU - Sebastien Soler
AU - Eric Thiébaut
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2611.09657
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2611.09657
AB - High-precision astrometry is a cornerstone for detecting Earth-like exoplanets in the habitable zones of nearby solar-type stars and probing the nature of dark matter in galactic environments. Achieving sub-microarcsecond accuracy requires unprecedented control over detector morphology, optical distortion, and astrometric measurement techniques. This paper reviews recent progress in characterizing large format detector at the micropixel scale level, calibrating optical distortion using reference stars, and refining differential astrometry methods to detect the faint astrometric signatures of Earth-mass exoplanets. We highlight the latest developments in the RETINA project, which aims to advance the TRL of GIGAPYX 220 MP CMOS detectors from Pyxalis which are critical components for future space missions such as ESA's Theia and NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). The project focuses on precise calibration methods, including Young's fringe projection, to monitor pixel geometry and intra-pixel response across gigapixel-scale focal planes. By integrating these advancements, RETINA seeks to enable astrometric detection of Earth-mass exoplanets with a precision of few tens of micropixels on the focal plane. We discuss the technical strategies, laboratory validations, and system-level integration required to achieve these goals, emphasizing the synergy between detector technology, optical calibration, and mission design. These innovations pave the way for next-generation astrometric instruments capable of transforming our understanding of exoplanetary systems and dark matter dynamics.
ER -