NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0280
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0280 |
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PI: Samuel Quinn, Georgia State University, quinn@chara.gsu.edu
Address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
CoI: Russel White, Georgia State University
CoI: Lars Buchhave, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen
CoI: Deepak Raghavan, Georgia State University
Title: Close visual companions to transiting exoplanet host stars
Abstract:
We propose to complete the northern sample of our high resolution imaging
survey of transiting planet host stars to identify spatially close
companions. Recent results have demonstrated that unresolved stellar
companions (physical or visual) to transiting planet host stars can
dramatically affect the calculated planetary masses and radii, potentially
leading to biases in our understanding of their composition and formation.
This survey will also provide a more complete assessment of the frequency of
planets in binary star systems, the results of which are important for
determining the total number of planets in the galaxy. At the median distance
to these stars, the peak of the binary separation distribution is below
typical seeing limits, so employing adaptive optics is essential to achieving
these goals.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2013A-0280 |
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