EAPSI: Detecting Earth-like exoplanets using the infrared doppler instrument on the Subaru telescope

多普勒视向速度技术是一种探测太阳系外行星的方法，它通过测量围绕主星运行的行星或行星给主星带来的轻微摆动来探测它。这是探测系外行星最有力、最有前途的方法之一。然而，使用这种技术推断行星的存在，需要非常精确地测量恒星的径向速度。径向速度测量精度的提高将导致对低质量行星的探测，这些行星目前在已知的系外行星样本中代表性不足。探测类地系外行星是寻找太阳系外生命的关键一步。与日本国家天文台（NAOJ）的Motohide Tamura教授合作，这个项目的目标是精确测量低质量恒星的径向速度，用于系外行星的探测和表征。NAOJ操作斯巴鲁望远镜，它将容纳红外多普勒仪器（IRD），这是一种最先进的仪器，旨在拍摄低质量恒星的高分辨率光谱。IRD光谱将揭示一群全新的类地行星。这个研究项目的另一个目的是开发软件，以大地（大气）吸收线作为波长参考来测量径向速度。这种波长校准方法与IRD所采用的方法是互补的。本研究旨在提高这两种方法的疗效。此外，大地线软件将适用于任何在红外或近红外波段工作的地面光谱仪。特别是，该软件可用于提高几种新型高分辨率仪器的精度，这些仪器将在未来几年内首次亮相。高分辨率光谱仪和精确的红外波长参考的结合将导致在未来几年内发现一群全新的类地系外行星。对这一群体的进一步研究将促进我们对行星形成、宇宙生命起源以及其他长期存在的谜团的理解。NSF EAPSI奖是与日本科学促进会合作资助的。

The Doppler radial velocity technique is a method of detecting planets outside of our solar system by measuring the slight wobble imparted on the host star by the planet or planets that orbit it. It is one of the most powerful and promising methods of exoplanet detection. Inferring the presence of a planet using this technique, however, requires a very precise measurement of the star's radial velocity. Improvements in the precision of radial velocity measurements will lead to the detection of lower-mass planets, which are currently underrepresented in the sample of known exoplanets. Detecting Earth-like exoplanets is a critical step in the search for life outside of our solar system. In collaboration with Professor Motohide Tamura, at the National Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), this project goal is measuring precise radial velocities of low-mass stars for exoplanet detection and characterization. The NAOJ operates the Subaru Telescope, which will house the Infrared Doppler Instrument (IRD), a state-of-the-art instrument designed to take high-resolution spectra of low-mass stars. The IRD spectra will reveal a whole new population of Earth-like planets. Another aim of this research project is the development of software designed to measure radial velocities using telluric (atmospheric) absorption lines as a wavelength reference. This method of wavelength calibration is complementary to that employed by the IRD. This study aims to improve the efficacy of both methods. In addition, the telluric line software will be applicable to any ground-based spectrograph that operates in the infrared or near infrared. In particular, the software could be used to improve the precision of several new high-resolution instruments, which will see first light in the next few years. The combination of high-resolution spectrographs and accurate wavelength references in the infrared will result in the discovery of a whole new population of Earth-like exoplanets in the next several years. Further study of this population will advance our understanding of planet formation, the origins of life in the universe, and other such long-standing mysteries. This NSF EAPSI award is funded in collaboration with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.