Institute of Astronomy

First science results of the ExoGRAVITY Large Program

SpeakerTalk DateTalk Series
Mathias Nowak10 November 2021Institute of Astronomy Seminars

Abstract

After the detection of the giant planet HR 8799 e with VLTI/GRAVITY and the characterization of the atmosphere of beta Pictoris b two years ago, it became apparent that long-baseline interferometry could play a major role in the characterization of giant planets. The ExoGRAVITY Large Program was granted 14 nights on the 4 UTs of the VLT, with the aim of observing all the directly imaged planets.
We are now half-way through the program, and a number of exciting results have already came out: from the characterization of the HR8799 system to the direct detection of the radial-velocity planet beta Pic c, and the measurement of its mass through its effect on the orbit of its sister planet beta Pic b.
I will give a general overview of the program: the science goals, the instrument, the observing strategy, etc. I will also dive into some of the most exciting results obtained so far.

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