[FPSPACE] LEAVITT: A MIDEX-class Mission for Finding & Characterizing 10, 000 Transiting Pl

[LARRY KLAES]

LEAVITT: A MIDEX-class Mission for Finding & Characterizing 10,000 
Transiting Planets in the Solar Neighborhood

Authors: Rob P. Olling

(Submitted on 23 Apr 2007 (v1), last revised 25 Apr 2007 (this version, v2))

Abstract: We propose a MIDEX-class space mission with the goal to find and 
characterize roughly 10,000 transiting planets. When transits occur, a much 
more detailed characterization of the planet is possible and so a large data 
base of transiting planets will provide planets with a large range in 
periods and radii for follow-up studies.

Our survey will be all-sky and focused on stars brighter than V=14.8. Down 
to V=12, LEAVITT will be able to detect Neptune-sized objects. Because of 
it's high cadence, LEAVITT is about 100 times more sensitive at detecting 
transits than GAIA, while it will find more than 20 times as many transits 
as KEPLER.

LEAVITT has multi-band photometric capability implemented via a 
low-resolution dispersive element which can obtain 0.2% (2 mmag) photometry 
down to V=14.8. LEAVITT's high multi-band photometric accuracy reduces the 
number of false-positives significantly.

Comments:

A White Paper for the ExoPlanet Task Force, 7 pages; Corrected arXiv mess-up

Subjects:

Astrophysics (astro-ph)

Cite as:

arXiv:0704.3072v2 [astro-ph]

Submission history

From: Rob P. Olling [view email]

[v1] Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:10:48 GMT (10kb)

[v2] Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:44:42 GMT (10kb)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0704.3072