SPIRou concentrates on two main science goals. The first one is to search for & characterize exo-Earths orbiting in the habitable zones (HZs) of low-mass & very-low mass stars using high-precision radial velocity (RV) measurements (see left figure below). This search expands the exploratory studies carried out with visible instruments (e.g., HARPS/ESO) and focuses in particular on planetary systems of nearby M dwarfs such as the 7-planet system discovered around Trappist-1, with special interest for planets located in the HZs of their host stars. SPIRou works in close collaboration with space- & ground-based surveys including TESS/NASA, CHEOPS/ESA, ExTrA and later-on PLATO/ESA and ARIEL/ESA, to identify the true planets among the candidates and further characterize their properties and atmospheres.

The second main goal is to explore the impact of magnetic fields on star & planet formation, by detecting fields of various types of young stellar objects (e.g. class-I, class-II and class-III pre-main-sequence / PMS stars, protostellar accretion discs) and by characterizing their large-scale topologies. SPIRou also investigates the potential presence of giant planets around protostars and in the inner regions of accretion discs. In particular, this study amplifies the pioneering exploration surveys carried out at optical wavelengths within the MaPP (Magnetic Protostars and Planets) and MaTYSSE (Magnetic Topologies of Young Stars and the Survival of close-in massive Exoplanets) CFHT Large Programs (LPs). It also ideally complements results obtained with ALMA/ESO on planet-forming accretion discs (see right figure below) and dense prestellar cores.

More about the science goals in the section dedicated to the science programme (restricted access). Scientists interested in joining the science consortium should contact the Executive Board outlining their motivation to do so and the expertise they wish to share.