exoplanets; high-contrast imaging; direct imaging; adaptive optics
Abstract :
[en] In February 2013, the LEECH (LBTI Exozodi Exoplanet Common Hunt) survey began its 100-night campaign from the Large Binocular Telescope atop Mount Graham in Arizona. LEECH neatly complements other high-contrast planet imaging efforts by observing stars in L' band (3.8 microns) as opposed to the shorter wavelength near-infrared bands (1-2.3 microns). This part of the spectrum offers deeper mass sensitivity for intermediate age (several hundred Myr-old) systems, since their Jovian-mass planets radiate predominantly in the mid-infrared. We present the science goals for LEECH and a preliminary contrast curve from some early data.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Zimmerman, Neil; Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
Skemer, Andrew; U. Arizona
Apai, Daniel; U. Arizona
Bailey, Vanessa; U. Arizona
Biller, Beth; Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
Bonnefoy, Mickael; Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
Brandner, Wolfgang; Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
Buenzli, Esther; Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
Close, Laird; U. Arizona
Crepp, Justin; U. Notre Dame
Defrere, Denis ; Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astroph. extragalactique et observations spatiales (AEOS)
Desidera, Silvano; INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova
Eisner, Josh; U. Arizona
Esposito, Simone; INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri
Fortney, Jonathan; UC Santa Cruz
Henning, Thomas; Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
Hinz, Phil; U. Arizona
Hofmann, Karl-Heinz; Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie
Leisenring, Jarron; ETH Zurich
Males, Jared; U. Arizona
Millan-Gabet, Rafael; Caltech
Morzinski, Katie; U. Arizona
Pascucci, Ilaria; U. Arizona
Patience, Jenny; U. Exeter
Rieke, George; U. Arizona
Schertl, Dieter; Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie
Schlieder, Joshua; Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie
Skrutskie, Michael; U. Virginia
Su, Kate; U. Arizona
Woodward, Chick; U. Minnesota
Weigelt, Gerd; Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie)
