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Spectroscopic planetary detectionThe Sun-as-a-star was monitored using the McMath Fourier transform spectometer (FTS) on Kitt Peak in 1983. In 1985 the first measurement was made using the laser heterodyne technique. The FTS measurements now extend for three years, with errors of order 3 meters/sec at a given epoch. Over this 3 year period, a 33 meter/sec change was measured in the apparent velocity of integrated sunlight. The sense of the effect is that a greater blueshift is seen near solar minimum, which is consistent with expectations based on considering the changing morphology of solar granular convection. Presuming this effect is solar-cycle-related, it will mimic the Doppler reflex produced by a planetary companion of approximately two Jupiter masses, with an 11 year orbital period. Thus, Jupiter itself is below the threshold for detection by spectroscopic means, without an additional technique for discrimination. However, for planetary companions in shorter period orbits (P approx. 3 years) the threshold for unambiguous detection is well below one Jupiter mass.
Document ID
19870003048
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Deming, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Espenak, F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Hillman, J. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kostiuk, T.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Mumma, M. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Jennings, D. E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Reports of Planetary Astronomy, 1985
Subject Category
Astronomy
Accession Number
87N12481
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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