The Calan-Hertfordshire extrasolar planet search

J.S Jenkins,C Migaszewski,K Gozdziewski,J.R Barnes,M.I Jones,H.R.A Jones,S Hoyer,A.C Day-Jones,P Rojo,D.J Pinfield

doi:10.1051/epjconf/20111602004

Abstract

The detailed study of the exoplanetary systems HD189733 and HD209458 has given rise to a wealth of exciting information on the physics of exoplanetary atmospheres. To further our understanding of the make-up and processes within these atmospheres we require a larger sample of bright transiting planets. We have began a project to detect more bright transiting planets in the southern hemisphere by utilising precision radial-velocity measurements. We have observed a constrained sample of bright, inactive and metal-rich stars using the HARPS instrument and here we present the current status of this project, along with our first discoveries which include a brown dwarf/extreme-Jovian exoplanet found in the brown dwarf desert region around the star HD191760 and improved orbits for three other exoplanetary systems HD48265, HD143361 and HD154672. Finally, we briefly discuss the future of this project and the current prospects we have for discovering more bright transiting planets.

Highlights

INTRODUCTIONA ground based transmission spectrum has revealed sodium absorption [11], using the Hobby-Eberly Telescope to observe the planet across 11 orbits, and the level was found to be three times larger than that previously found for HD209458 b [6]
We have observed a constrained sample of bright, inactive and metal-rich stars using the HARPS instrument and here we present the current status of this project, along with our first discoveries which include a brown dwarf/extreme-Jovian exoplanet found in the brown dwarf desert region around the star HD191760 and improved orbits for three other exoplanetary systems HD48265, HD143361 and HD154672
In [24] we present the first results from this data, announcing the discovery of a brown dwarf/extreme-Jovian exoplanet located in the brown dwarf desert region around the star HD191760 (Fig. 1)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

A ground based transmission spectrum has revealed sodium absorption [11], using the Hobby-Eberly Telescope to observe the planet across 11 orbits, and the level was found to be three times larger than that previously found for HD209458 b [6]. Both [12] and [13] have used the HST NICMOS spectrograph to measure water absorption and methane absorption in the atmosphere of HD187933 b, along with other molecular bands such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which are the first detections of carbon based molecules in any exoplanet. These observations allow one to compare the atmospheric properties of extrasolar planets and to test numerous model atmospheres (e.g. [14,15,16])

THE CALAN-HERTFORDSHIRE EXTRASOLAR PLANET SEARCH

Findings

SUMMARY AND FUTURE WORK