Current Projects:



ET Project: Exoplanet Tracker, currently housed at Kitt Peak National Observatory 2.1m telescope. This instrument discovered ET-1 (HD102195b), the first extrasolar planet discovered using the DFDI technique. Currently used primarily as a follow-up instrument, it is also open for the public to apply for time at the KPNO 2.1m. More info can be found (here). My main work now is leading the operation of the instrument and observations, performing the data reduction, maintaining the data archive, coordinating observers (both UF and external groups using our instrument), making target schedules and (often) performing the observations. The stability and quality of ET is scheduled to be dramatically improved this Fall with an upgrade of the instrument hardware, control software and CCD software. The ET instrument will be one of the primary follow-up instruments of the MARVELS Project (see below). STATUS: Ongoing

MARVELS: A multi-object ET instrument housed at the Sloan Digital Sky Survey 2.5m telescope. It is designed to conduct an all-sky survey for extrasolar planets between V=8-12 magnitude using the SDSS telescope from 2008-2014. It has the potential to at least double the number of known extrasolar planets, based on current detection statistics and expected performance, by discovering at least 150 planets with semimajor axes out to 1-2 AU. This homogenous data set will allow for robust constraints on models of planet formation, dynamical evolution and disk evolution. More info can be found at the official website (here). My main work is the target selection, our data archive system, and the Instrument Control Software (ICS). STATUS: Acceptance Testing at Apache Point Observatory

EXPERT: EXPERT is an upgraded version of the ET instrument (see above) that combined the ET instrument setup with a "mini-Echelle" to provide a resoltuion of ~21,000 and capable of obtaining ~1-2 m/s precision. Clones of EXPERT are slated to be placed at additional sites to provide round-the-world coverage. My main work now is developing the pipeline system for EXPERT, known as the MEDIEVAL software package. STATUS: Build Phase

ASHITA: All-Sky Habitable planet Identification, Tracking and Analysis. This project is dedicated towards the detection and study of giant planets in their planet's Habitable Zones. If these planets host natural satellites, they could represent the first known habitable planets outside our solar system. They are also important tracers of the physics of planet migration and formation. ashita is Japanese for "tomorrow". STATUS: On Hold (will be the later part of my thesis) 

Home