POEMM

Planetary Origins and Evolution Multispectral Monochromator

The NASA Astrophysics Pioneers mission, POEMM is a balloon-borne 1.8-m telescope, combined with state-of-the-art spectrometers and detectors developed by the POEMM team, to study planet formation and evolution with uniquely powerful far-infrared (FIR) diagnostic tools.

How do Gas Giants, Ice Giants, and the Earth’s Oceans Form?

Stars form through the gravitational collapse of molecular clouds.

The protostar is enveloped by a rotating disk of gas, dust, and ices.
POEMM measures the disc mass: is there enough to form giant planets?

Protoplanetary cores form as dust grains coagulate into successively larger bodies.
POEMM measures the ice content: a key ingredient that aids in coagulation.

The composition of giant planets is altered by icy infall.
POEMM will measure the history of ice accretion in Neptune to understand how the outer giant planets form.

Near the star, strong winds drive away the gas leaving dry, rocky planets like Earth and Mars.
POEMM observes the dispersal processes with the [OI] line and measures the water ice content that is necessary to form oceans.