Extrasolar planetary search using a network of automated telescopes

Eric R. Craine; Mark S. Giampapa; Douglas A. Hott

doi:10.1117/12.176719

1 June 1994 Extrasolar planetary search using a network of automated telescopes

Eric R. Craine, Mark S. Giampapa, Douglas A. Hott

Proceedings Volume 2198, Instrumentation in Astronomy VIII; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.176719
Event: 1994 Symposium on Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation for the 21st Century, 1994, Kailua, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

Conventional search techniques for extrasolar planets have not yielded indisputable evidence of such planets. The small sample sizes of previously employed searches ensure that a null result provides little or no information on the numbers or distributions of such planets. The photometric technique, wherein monitoring is performed to detect light curves distinctively characteristic of a planetary transit, has been a tantalizing prospect, but has always been rejected because of its observational intensity. Moderate aperture (0.5-1.0 m) automated telescopes and multi- color CCD imaging arrays with image recognition software form the instrumental foundation for a global network to conduct such a search. Catalogs of cool dwarf stars provide a program star list with the advantages of orbital geometries and photometric properties enabling detection of planetary transits with a network of modes proportions. We reaffirm the viability of the photometric approach and outline the methodology of the search. Computer modelling of various strategies of conducting such a planetary search has been undertaken and we outline the resulting network configurations and observing strategies suggested by this effort.

Citation Download Citation

Eric R. Craine, Mark S. Giampapa, and Douglas A. Hott "Extrasolar planetary search using a network of automated telescopes", Proc. SPIE 2198, Instrumentation in Astronomy VIII, (1 June 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.176719

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available