Spectral Astrometry Mission for Planets Detection
The Spectral Astrometry Mission is a space-mission concept that uses simultaneous, multiple-star differential astrometry to measure exo-solar planet masses. The goal of SAM is to measure the reflex motions of hundreds of nearby ({approx}50 pc) F, G and K stars, relative to adjacent stars, with a resolution of 2.5 {micro}-arcsec. SAM is a new application of Spectral Interferometry (SI), also called Externally Dispersed Interferometry (EDI), that can simultaneously measure the angular difference between the target and multiple reference stars. SI has demonstrated the ability to measure a {lambda}/20,000 white-light fringe shift with only {lambda}/3 baseline control. SAM's structural stability and compensation requirements are therefore dramatically reduced compared to existing long-arm balanced-arm interferometric astrometry methods. We describe the SAM's mission concept, long-baseline SI astrometry method, and technical challenges to achieving the mission.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 15002780
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-147033; TRN: US200420%%63
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 4852; Conference: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, Waikoloa, HI (US), 08/22/2002--08/28/2002; Other Information: PBD: 9 Aug 2002
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
PRECISION SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE VLBI PULSAR ASTROMETRY. II. MEASUREMENT OF SEVEN PARALLAXES
THE SYNERGY OF DIRECT IMAGING AND ASTROMETRY FOR ORBIT DETERMINATION OF EXO-EARTHS