Understanding Super-Earths with MINERVA-Australis at USQ's Mount Kent Observatory

Robert A Wittenmyer; Jonathan Horner; Brad D Carter; Stephen R Kane; Peter Plavchan; David Ciardi; the MINERVA-Australis consortium

arXiv · 1806.09282

Understanding Super-Earths with MINERVA-Australis at USQ's Mount Kent Observatory

Robert A Wittenmyer·Jonathan Horner·Brad D Carter·Stephen R Kane·Peter Plavchan·David Ciardi·the MINERVA-Australis consortium

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Abstract

Super Earths, planets between 5-10 Earth masses, are the most common type of exoplanet known, yet are completely absent from our Solar system. As a result, their detailed properties, compositions, and formation mechanisms are poorly understood. NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will identify hundreds of Super-Earths orbiting bright stars, for the first time allowing in-depth characterisation of these planets. At the University of Southern Queensland, we are host to the MINERVA-Australis project, dedicated wholly to the follow-up characterisation and mass measurement of TESS planets. We give an update on the status of MINERVA-Australis and our expected performance.

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Robert A Wittenmyer, Jonathan Horner, Brad D Carter, Stephen R Kane, Peter Plavchan, David Ciardi, the MINERVA-Australis consortium. 2018-06-25. Understanding Super-Earths with MINERVA-Australis at USQ's Mount Kent Observatory. https://arxiv.org/abs/1806.09282

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