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| Paper: |
Extrasolar Terrestrial Planets: Can We Detect Them Already? |
| Volume: |
294, Scientific Frontiers in Research on Extrasolar Planets |
| Page: |
75 |
| Authors: |
Endl, M.; Kürster, M.; Rouesnel, F.; Els, S.; Hatzes, A. P.; Cochran, W. D. |
| Abstract: |
With the example of Proxima Centauri we discuss the feasibility of detecting terrestrial planets (1 to a few Earth masses) using the high precision radial velocity (RV) technique. If a very high RV precision for M stars is achieved even planets with these extremely low masses become detectable. For Proxima Cen (M5V), one of the prime targets of our M stars planet search program using the UVES spectrograph and iodine cell at the ESO VLT UT2, we obtain a long term RV precision of 2.5 m/sec. Based on numerical simulations we determine that this level of precision would have already allowed us to detect planets with M sin i= 4 to 6 Earth masses inside the habitable zone of Proxima Cen. |
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