Deriving High-Precision Radial Velocities

Pedro Figueira

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-59315-9_10

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arXiv · 1711.08347

Deriving High-Precision Radial Velocities

Pedro Figueira

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Abstract

This chapter describes briefly the key aspects behind the derivation of precise radial velocities. I start by defining radial velocity precision in the context of astrophysics in general and exoplanet searches in particular. Next I discuss the different basic elements that constitute a spectrograph, and how these elements and overall technical choices impact on the derived radial velocity precision. Then I go on to discuss the different wavelength calibration and radial velocity calculation techniques, and how these are intimately related to the spectrograph's properties. I conclude by presenting some interesting examples of planets detected through radial velocity, and some of the new-generation instruments that will push the precision limit further.

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Pedro Figueira. 2017-11-22. Deriving High-Precision Radial Velocities. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59315-9_10

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