The JWST Early Release Science Program for the Direct Imaging and Spectroscopy of Exoplanetary Systems
Authors: Hinkley Sasha , Carter Aarynn L. , Ray Shrishmoy , Skemer Andrew , Biller Beth , Choquet Elodie , Millar-Blanchaer Maxwell A. , Sallum Stephanie , Miles Brittany , Whiteford Niall , Patapis Polychronis , Perrin Marshall , Pueyo Laurent , Schneider Glenn , Stapelfeldt Karl , Wang Jason , Ward-Duong Kimberly , Bowler Brendan P. , Boccaletti Anthony , H. Girard Julien , Hines Dean , Kalas Paul , Kammerer Jens , Kervella Pierre , Leisenring Jarron , Pantin Eric , Zhou Yifan , Meyer Michael , Liu Michael C. , Bonnefoy Mickael , Currie Thayne , McElwain Michael , Metchev Stanimir , Wyatt Mark , Absil Olivier , Adams Jea , Barman Travis , Baraffe Isabelle , Bonavita Mariangela , Booth Mark , Bryan Marta , Chauvin Gael , Chen Christine , Danielski Camilla , Furio Matthew De , Factor Samuel M. , Fitzgerald Michael P. , Fortney Jonathan J. , Grady Carol , Greenbaum Alexandra , Henning Thomas , Hoch Kielan K. W. , Janson Markus , Kennedy Grant , Kenworthy Matthew , Kraus Adam , Kuzuhara Masayuki , Lagage Pierre-Olivier , Lagrange Anne-Marie , Launhardt Ralf , Lazzoni Cecilia , Lloyd James , Marino Sebastian , Marley Mark , Martinez Raquel , Marois Christian , Matthews Brenda , Matthews Elisabeth C. , Mawet Dimitri , Mazoyer Johan , Phillips Mark , Petrus Simon , Quanz Sascha P. , Quirrenbach Andreas , Rameau Julien , Rebollido Isabel , Rickman Emily , Samland Matthias , Sargent B. , Schlieder Joshua E. , Sivaramakrishnan Anand , Stone Jordan M. , Tamura Motohide , Tremblin Pascal , Uyama Taichi , Vasist Malavika , Vigan Arthur , Wagner Kevin , Ygouf Marie 
Published: September 2022

The direct characterization of exoplanetary systems with high-contrast imaging is among the highest priorities for the broader exoplanet community. As large space missions will be necessary for detecting and characterizing exo-Earth twins, developing the techniques and technology for direct imaging of exoplanets is a driving focus for the community. For the first time, JWST will directly observe extrasolar planets at mid-infrared wavelengths beyond 5 μm, deliver detailed spectroscopy revealing much more precise chemical abundances and atmospheric conditions, and provide sensitivity to analogs of our solar system ice-giant planets at wide orbital separations, an entirely new class of exoplanet. However, in order to maximize the scientific output over the lifetime of the mission, an exquisite understanding of the instrumental performance of JWST is needed as early in the mission as possible. In this paper, we describe our 55 hr Early Release Science Program that will utilize all four JWST instruments to extend the characterization of planetary-mass companions to ∼15 μm as well as image a circumstellar disk in the mid-infrared with unprecedented sensitivity. Our program will also assess the performance of the observatory in the key modes expected to be commonly used for exoplanet direct imaging and spectroscopy, optimize data calibration and processing, and generate representative data sets that will enable a broad user base to effectively plan for general observing programs in future Cycles.