Las Cumbres Observatory Key Project:

    This Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) Key Project is focused on the study of transiting exoplanets using the LCO global network of robotic telescopes. The Key Project is carried out during three years, or six LCO semesters, from July 2020 to July 2023. It was awarded about 10,000 hours directly by LCO, which are expected to be complemented by about 6,000 hours from LCO partner institutions, for a total of 16,000 hours. Observations include imaging, for time series photometry, using the 0.4m/SBIG, 1.0m/Sinistro, and 2.0m/MuSCAT3 cameras, and high resolution spectroscopy using the Network of Robotic Echelle Spectrographs (NRES) mounted on four 1.0m telescopes and designed for stellar characterization and high precision radial velocity measurements.
    Observations focus primarily, but not exclusively, on transiting planet candidates from the NASA TESS Mission. Photometric observations during predicted transit times are done in order to identify which of the stars blended in the wide TESS PSF (~1 arcmin) is the source of the transit seen in TESS data. Spectroscopy of bright stars is done in order to characterize the host star, identify false positive planet candidates (e.g. SB1 or SB2), and when possible measure the radial velocity orbit of the host star.
    We welcome collaboration regarding any observational study of exoplanets. For any inquiries please contact Avi Shporer (PI), Karen Collins (Deputy-PI for photometry), or Marshall Johnson (Deputy-PI for spectroscopy).