Narrow-angle astrometry with PRIMA

Ségransan, D.; Mérand, A.; Zimmerman, Neil; Abuter, R.; Chazelas, Bruno; Delplancke, F.; Henning, Thomas; Kaminski, A.; Köhler, Rainer H.; Launhardt, R.; Mohler, M.; Pepe, F.; Queloz, D.; Quirrenbach, A.; Reffert, S.; Schmid, Christian; Schuhler, Nicolas; Schulze-Hartung, T.

doi:10.1117/12.926214

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Ground-based astrometry will also play a role, as could JWST and other facilities. For instance, ground-based direct imaging is able to deliver astrometric measurements at 100 micro-arcsecond precision 168 .…”

Section: Direct Imaging and Astrometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Instrumentation for the detection and characterization of exoplanets

Pepe

Ehrenreich

Meyer³

2014

Nature

110

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In no other field of astrophysics has the impact of new instrumentation been as substantial as in the domain of exoplanets. Before 1995 our knowledge of exoplanets was mainly based on philosophical and theoretical considerations. The years that followed have been marked, instead, by surprising discoveries made possible by high-precision instruments. Over the past decade, the availability of new techniques has moved the focus of research from the detection to the characterization of exoplanets. Next-generation facilities will produce even more complementary data that will lead to a comprehensive view of exoplanet characteristics and, by comparison with theoretical models, to a better understanding of planet formation.

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Section: Direct Imaging and Astrometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Instrumentation for the detection and characterization of exoplanets

Pepe

Ehrenreich

Meyer³

2014

Nature

110

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The status of the instrument and the performance achieved at the time are detailed in Sahlmann et al (2013) [2] . This contribution is in the continuation of Sahlmann et al (2012) [3] , an update of the Extrasolar Planet Search with PRIMA project (ESPRI [4] ), and Schmid et al (2012) [5] , an update of the PRIMA-Astrometry instrument itself. Section 2 presents the modifications made to the metrology of PRIMA to improve the astrometric performance, as well as the impact and correction of major polarization effects.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the astrometric performance of VLTI-PRIMA

Woillez¹,

Abuter²,

Andolfato³

et al. 2014

SPIE Proceedings

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In the summer of 2011, the first on-sky astrometric commissioning of PRIMA-Astrometry delivered a performance of 3 m″ for a 10 ″ separation on bright objects, orders of magnitude away from its exoplanet requirement of 50 µ″ ~ 20 µ″ on objects as faint as 11 mag ~ 13 mag in K band. This contribution focuses on upgrades and characterizations carried out since then.The astrometric metrology was extended from the Coudé focus of the Auxillary Telescopes to their secondary mirror, in order to reduce the baseline instabilities and improve the astrometric performance. While carrying out this extension, it was realized that the polarization retardance of the star separator derotator had a major impact on both the astrometric metrology and the fringe sensors. A local compensation of this retardance and the operation on a symmetric baseline allowed a new astrometric commissioning. In October 2013, an improved astrometric performance of 160 µ″ was demonstrated, still short of the requirements. Instabilities in the astrometric baseline still appear to be the dominating factor.In preparation to a review held in January 2014, a plan was developed to further improve the astrometric and faint target performance of PRIMA Astrometry. On the astrometric aspect, it involved the extension of the internal longitudinal metrology to primary space, the design and implementation of an external baseline metrology, and the development of an astrometric internal fringes mode. On the faint target aspect, investigations of the performance of the fringe sensor units and the development of an AO system (NAOMI) were in the plan. Following this review, ESO decided to take a proposal to the April 2014 STC that PRIMA be cancelled, and that ESO resources be concentrated on ensuring that Gravity and Matisse are a success. This proposal was recommended by the STC in May 2014, and endorsed by ESO.

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Astrometric detection of exoplanets from the ground

Lazorenko

Mérand²,

Queloz³

et al. 2013

SPIE Proceedings

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Astrometry is a powerful technique to study the populations of extrasolar planets around nearby stars. It gives access to a unique parameter space and is therefore required for obtaining a comprehensive picture of the properties, abundances, and architectures of exoplanetary systems. In this review, we discuss the scientific potential, present the available techniques and instruments, and highlight a few results of astrometric planet searches, with an emphasis on observations from the ground. In particular, we discuss astrometric observations with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) Interferometer and a programme employing optical imaging with a VLT camera, both aimed at the astrometric detection of exoplanets. Finally, we set these efforts into the context of Gaia, ESA's astrometry mission scheduled for launch in 2013, and present an outlook on the future of astrometric exoplanet detection from the ground.

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Narrow-angle astrometry with PRIMA

Cited by 4 publications

References 18 publications

Instrumentation for the detection and characterization of exoplanets

Instrumentation for the detection and characterization of exoplanets

Improving the astrometric performance of VLTI-PRIMA

Astrometric detection of exoplanets from the ground

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