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SUPA Astronomy & Space Physics Graham Woan University of Glasgow. Astronomy and Space Physics in Scotland. Scottish Universities Physics Alliance. SUPA institutions carry out world-leading astronomical research over a broad range of topics:
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SUPA Astronomy & Space PhysicsGraham WoanUniversity of Glasgow
Astronomy and Space Physics in Scotland Scottish Universities Physics Alliance • SUPA institutions carry out world-leading astronomicalresearch over a broad range of topics: • cosmology, galaxy structure & evolution, stellar astrophysics, planet formation & extrasolar planets,solar physics,gravitationalwaves, telescopes and instrumentation … • cross-theme initiatives: SPARK (with Particle Physics), UK Centre for Astrobiology (with PaLS) • grant income of ~£6-7M/y • 133 staff 86 PhD students • ~550 publications over report period. • Today, give a snapshot of our two extrasolar planet projects: SUPAscopeand HARPS-North Gravitational waves Cosmology Galaxy dynamics Large telescopes Exoplanets Solar physics
SUPAscope– Global Robotic Telescope Network for Time-Domain Astrophysics • current & competitive position • SUPA-led international team at the forefront of robotic telescope networks, studying microlensingand time-variability • 15 scopes to be deployed at 6 sites • Key Project 1 – cool-planet mass/orbit distributions down to Earth-size • Key Project 2 – echo-mapping of AGN accretion disks • Nature papers in 2005 for discovery of first rocky planet and 2012 for first cool-planet abundance distribution
SUPAscope– Global Robotic Telescope Network for Time-Domain Astrophysics • strategy, aspiration & progress • cool planet census complete enough to detect or rule out predicted cool-planet desert • detection of cool Earth-mass planets • AGN luminosity distances (at redshifts 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3) constraining WM, WL, and w • first robotic 1-m LCOGT scope currently being commissioned at McDonald Observatory • six southern hemispheres telescopes to be deployed in 2012 • three northern hemisphere telescopes to be deployed in 2013 • ready for 2013 observing season
Kepler + HARPS-NorthPlanet Masses and Densities • current & competitive position • HARPS-North: the characterization and discovery of terrestrial planets by combining transit and Doppler measurements • international collaboration: Geneva (lead), SUPA, Harvard, QUB, TNG-INAF Observatory • SUPA (StA, Ed, UK-ATC) are major funding and construction partners • HARPS-North will be capable of better than 20 cm/s precision for bright stars – world-leading precision • first light achieved in March 2012 • Kepler intension to use HARPS-North for follow-ups +
Kepler + HARPS-NorthPlanet Masses and Densities • Strategy, aspiration & progress • confirming an Earth-twin planet in the habitable zone, with a precision of 30% in mass • characterizing Earth-like planets of 2-5 Earth masses ("super-Earths") in various orbits, distinguishing between water-rich and dry planets • characterizing the transition between super-Earths and Ice Giants (e.g., hot Neptunes) near 10 Earth masses, to 5% in mass HARPS-N first light, 24 March 2012 • observing time requirements: • for 2 planets (over 3 years) - 160 h = 16 nights per year • for 20 planets in various orbits - 250 h = 25 nights per year • for 20 planets in various orbits - 210 h = 20 nights per year
