NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2008A-0523
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2008A-0523 |
|
PI: Jian Ge, The University of Florida, jge@astro.ufl.edu
Address: Astronomy Department, 211 Bryant Space Science Center, Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A.
CoI: Brian Lee, The University of Florida
CoI: Scott Fleming, The University of Florida
CoI: Pencheng Guo, The University of Florida
CoI: Justin Crepp, The University of Florida
CoI: Ji Wang, The University of Florida
CoI: Steve Kane, The University of Florida
CoI: Suvrath Mahadevan, The University of Florida
Title: Exoplanet Tracker Upgrade and Radial Velocity Follow-ups of Planet and Brown Dwarf Candidates
Abstract: We propose to conduct a major upgrade to the Exoplanet Tracker (ET) Doppler instrument at the KPNO 2.1m, measure its performance and follow up potential planet and brown dwarf candidates identified from the high precision RV surveys using a single object ET instrument at the KPNO 2.1m and a multiple object ET at the SDSS telescope. We will replace the current PZT actively controlled fixed-delay interferometer with a monolithic interferometer to eliminate the last moving component in the instrument to substantially improve the interferometer long term stability. The monolithic interferometer was designed to have less than 2 m/s absolute velocity drift when it is operated in an airtight enclosure with the temperature stabilized to 0.01^\circC. The new upgraded ET instrument will be fully calibrated during the 2008A semester. A total of 24 potential short and intermediate term planet and brown dwarf candidates will be followed up. The new results will be used to study the diversity of extrasolar giant planet populations, the brown dwarf desert, and formation, migration and evolution of giant planets.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2008A-0523 |
|