The convective noise floor for the spectroscopic detection of low mass companions to solar type starsThe threshold mass for the unambiguous spectroscopic detection of low mass companions to solar type stars is defined here as the time when the maximum acceleration in the stellar radial velocity due to the Doppler reflex of the companion exceeds the apparent acceleration produced by changes in convection. An apparent acceleration of 11 m/s/yr in integrated sunlight was measured using near infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. This drift in the apparent solar velocity is attributed to a lessening in the magnetic inhibition of granular convection as solar minimum approaches. The threshold mass for spectroscopic detection of companions to a one solar mass star is estimated at below one Jupiter mass.
Document ID
19870050959
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)
Jennings, D. E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Brault, J. W. (National Solar Observatory Tucson, AZ, United States)