Astrobiology Workshop, Macquarie University July 12-13 2001

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A search for extra-solar planets using the Automated Patrol Telescope

Marton Hidas ( School of Physics - University of NSW)

All of the 60 or so planets found orbiting other stars to date have been detected using the radial velocity method. This involves high-resolution spectroscopy and hence requires moderately bright stars. An alternative method to detect planets whose orbits are edge-on from our point of view, is to observe the decrease in apparent brightness of the star when the planet passes in front of it. While the probability of observing such a transit event for any one star may be low, a wide-field telescope can be used to monitor the brightnesses of a large sample of stars simultaneously.

The Automated Patrol Telescope (APT), operated by the University of New South Wales, is ideal for such a project. An observing program has just begun with the aim of detecting new extra-solar planets. The initial observations were used to investigate the limits on photometric precision, develop observing strategies and data reduction procedures. Jupiter-type planets orbiting close to their star, having periods of several days, will be easiest to detect, but longer period planets will also be sought.