RedDots: all terrestrial planets within 5pc

• Applicant: Dr. Sandra Jeffers
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 446148871

We will build on our discovery of Proxima b and Barnard's star b by searching for terrestrial planets within 5 pc. Our proven method uses long time-baseline, regular nightly-sampled HARPS RVs supported by comprehensive photometry and spectroscopic activity indices. We will develop activity models to push our detection techniques and apply these to our new data sets aswell as RedDots archival data sets. We will robustly detect and measure the orbits of potentially habitable planets in all systems, and the stars' activity and rotation. This is urgent: these will be top priority planets for characterisation, their properties will influence designs of forthcoming instruments for exoplanetary atmospheric studies.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1992: Exploring the diversity of extrasolar planets
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Stefan Dreizler