![Candidate space missions for high precision astrometry: Theia for an ESA medium mission, and the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory in astrometric mode. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Advances.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.EP] 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.
Fabien Malbet (IPAG), Jerôme Amiaux (DAP), Florence Ardellier-Desages (DAP), Eric Doumayrou (DAP), Pierre-Antoine Frugier (DAP), Pierre-Olivier Lagage (DAP), Alain Léger (IAS), Manon Lizzana (IPAG, CNES), Jérôme Martignac (DAP), Julien Michelot, Fabrice Pancher (IPAG), Thibault Pichon (DAP), Samuel Ronayette (DAP), Hugo Rousset (IPAG), Sebastien Soler (IPAG), Eric Thiébaut (CRAL)
Subjects: Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP); Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM); Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
Cite as: arXiv:2611.09657 [astro-ph.EP] (or arXiv:2611.09657v1 [astro-ph.EP] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2611.09657
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Journal reference: International Conference in Space Optics 2026, Kyriaki Minoglou, ESA/ESTEC; Karine Mathieu, CNES; Nikos Karafolas, ESA/ESTEC; Fr{é}d{é}ric Bernard, CNES, Oct 2026, Sorrento, Italy
Submission history
From: Fabien Malbet [via CCSD proxy]
[v1] Fri, 6 Nov 2026 16:06:25 UTC (6,790 KB)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2611.09657
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