How does stellar convection impact the detection of small planets at high radial velocity precision ?

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ansgar Reiners
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2017 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 362583642

One of the driving forces in exoplanet research is the detection of smaller exoplanets using the radial velocity technique. To achieve this many new instruments will be built or have recently started operations. With the high precision that can be obtained with these instruments, stellar convective processes or stellar jitter that vary on levels of m/s, which is the precision required to detect an Earth-like planet, start to become significant. In this proposal we will make a significant step in understanding how stellar jitter impacts the detection of small exoplanets and how best to identify and mitigate its effect. The results of this work will maximise the scientific results from current and future exoplanet radial velocity surveys.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1992: Exploring the diversity of extrasolar planets
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Sandra Jeffers