On the synergetic use of Ariel and JWST for exoplanet atmospheric science

Abstract This paper explores the potential for strategic synergies between the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Ariel Space Telescope, two flagship observatories poised to revolutionise the study of exoplanet atmospheres. Both telescopes have the potential to address common fundamental questions about exoplanets—especially concerning their nature and origins—and serve a growing scientific community. With their operations now anticipated to overlap from 2031, there is a unique opportunity to enhance the scientific outputs of both observatories through coordinated efforts. In this report, authored by the Ariel-JWST Synergy Working Group, part of the Ariel Consortium Science Team, we summarise the capabilities of both telescopes; we highlight their key differences, similarities, synergies, and distinctive strengths. Ariel is designed to conduct a broad survey of exoplanet atmospheres but remains highly flexible, allowing the mission to integrate insights from JWST’s discoveries. Findings from JWST, including data from initiatives shaped by NASA’s decadal survey priorities and community-driven research themes, will inform the development of Ariel’s survey strategy. Conversely, Ariel’s broad-wavelength coverage for bright targets provides complementary avenues for exoplanet researchers, particularly those interested in time-domain observations and large-scale atmospheric studies. We identify key pathways for fostering JWST-Ariel synergies, many of which can be initiated even before Ariel’s launch. Leveraging their complementary designs and scopes, JWST and Ariel can jointly address fundamental questions about the nature, formation, and evolution of exoplanets. Such collaboration has the potential to maximise the scientific returns of both observatories and lay the foundation for future facilities in the roadmap to exoplanet exploration.

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Publication Details

Journal
RAS Techniques and Instruments
Published
2026-10-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/rasti/rzag085
Primary Topic
Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

On the synergetic use of Ariel and JWST for exoplanet atmospheric science

Jiří Žák, Ryan Cloutier, G. Tinetti, Giuseppina Micela et al.
2 links
RAS Techniques and Instruments
Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
article

On the synergetic use of Ariel and JWST for exoplanet atmospheric science

Jiří Žák, Ryan Cloutier, G. Tinetti, Giuseppina Micela, Andrea Bocchieri, Lorenzo V. Mugnai, Achrène Dyrek, Nicolas B. Cowan, T. Lueftinger, Panayotis Lavvas, Olja Panić, Lisa Dang, Yamila Miguel, Kai Hou Yip, Enzo Pascale, Yūichi Itō, Quentin Changeat, Séverine Robert, Giuseppe Morello, Pierre-Olivier Lagage, Y Fujii, M Ikoma, A Coustenis, J Y-K Cho, J K Barstow, E Ducrot, B Charnay, O Venot, C Danielski, S Schleich, B Edwards
article en

Abstract

Abstract This paper explores the potential for strategic synergies between the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Ariel Space Telescope, two flagship observatories poised to revolutionise the study of exoplanet atmospheres. Both telescopes have the potential to address common fundamental questions about exoplanets—especially concerning their nature and origins—and serve a growing scientific community. With their operations now anticipated to overlap from 2031, there is a unique opportunity to enhance the scientific outputs of both observatories through coordinated efforts. In this report, authored by the Ariel-JWST Synergy Working Group, part of the Ariel Consortium Science Team, we summarise the capabilities of both telescopes; we highlight their key differences, similarities, synergies, and distinctive strengths. Ariel is designed to conduct a broad survey of exoplanet atmospheres but remains highly flexible, allowing the mission to integrate insights from JWST’s discoveries. Findings from JWST, including data from initiatives shaped by NASA’s decadal survey priorities and community-driven research themes, will inform the development of Ariel’s survey strategy. Conversely, Ariel’s broad-wavelength coverage for bright targets provides complementary avenues for exoplanet researchers, particularly those interested in time-domain observations and large-scale atmospheric studies. We identify key pathways for fostering JWST-Ariel synergies, many of which can be initiated even before Ariel’s launch. Leveraging their complementary designs and scopes, JWST and Ariel can jointly address fundamental questions about the nature, formation, and evolution of exoplanets. Such collaboration has the potential to maximise the scientific returns of both observatories and lay the foundation for future facilities in the roadmap to exoplanet exploration.

RAS Techniques and Instruments
Leiden University (NL), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Space Telescope Science Institute (US), University of Vienna (AT), Planetary Science Institute (US), University of Leeds (GB), University of Waterloo (CA), Universitat de València (ES), King's College - North Carolina (US), University of Groningen (NL), King's College London (GB), Université Paris-Est Créteil (FR), Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BE), The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI (JP), The Open University (GB), Université Paris Cité (FR), Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (FR), Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (FR), Université Paris-Saclay (FR), Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory (IT), Observatoire de Paris (FR), Czech Academy of Sciences, Astronomical Institute (CZ), CEA Paris-Saclay - Etablissement de Saclay (FR), Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris (FR), European Space Agency (FR), Sorbonne Université (FR), Astrophysique, Instrumentation et Modélisation (FR), Sorbonne Paris Cité (FR), Astrobiology Center (JP), Laboratoire d’études spatiales et d’instrumentation en astrophysique (FR), Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian (US), Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo (IT), CEA Paris-Saclay (FR), Groupe de Spectrométrie Moléculaire et Atmosphérique (FR), Laboratoire Interuniversitaire des Systèmes Atmosphériques (FR), Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (ES), National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (JP), Flatiron Institute (US), LIRA - Laboratoire d'instrumentation et de recherche en astrophysique (FR), European Space Research and Technology Centre (NL), University College London (GB), Space Research Organisation Netherlands (NL), McGill University (CA), Brandeis University (US), Cardiff University (GB), Sapienza University of Rome (IT), National Institute for Astrophysics (IT), Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (FR), McMaster University (CA)
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Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
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