Planet Detection
The astrometric and radial velocity techniques of extra-solar planet detection attempt to detect the periodic reflex motion of the parent star by extracting this periodic signal from a time-sampled set of observations. While radial velocity surveys have had tremendous success in detecting planets, they are limited to planets with shorter periods around stars with rich spectra and low jitter. Astrometry can access other sorts of stars, and is more sensitive to longer period planets.


Mass sensitivities of astrometric and radial velocity planet detection techniques.

Using the Keck Interferometer ASTRA project, I am working toward astrometric detection of exoplanets in a range of environments. These include stars already known to harbor planets from radial velocity of direct imaging observations, as well as young stars. I am also working to image planets that may still be accreting, in orbit around young stars, using the technique of non-redundant masking interferometry at the MMT and the LBT.


Josh Eisner; May 25, 2010