SPHERE: A 'Planet Finder' Instrument for the VLT
J. -L. Beuzit
(1)
,
M. Feldt
,
K. Dohlen
(2)
,
D. Mouillet
(1)
,
P. Puget
(1)
,
J. Antichi
,
A. Baruffolo
,
P. Baudoz
(3)
,
A. Berton
,
A. Boccaletti
(3)
,
M. Carbillet
(4, 5)
,
J. Charton
(1)
,
R. Claudi
,
M. Downing
,
P. Feautrier
(1)
,
E. Fedrigo
,
T. Fusco
(6)
,
R. Gratton
,
N. Hubin
,
M. Kasper
,
M. Langlois
(2)
,
C. Moutou
(2)
,
L. Mugnier
(6)
,
J. Pragt
,
P. Rabou
(1)
,
M. Saisse
(2)
,
H. M. Schmid
,
E. Stadler
(1)
,
M. Turrato
,
S. Udry
,
R. Waters
,
F. Wildi
M. Feldt
- Function : Author
J. Antichi
- Function : Author
A. Baruffolo
- Function : Author
A. Berton
- Function : Author
M. Carbillet
- Function : Author
- PersonId : 1337486
- ORCID : 0000-0002-8808-4792
- IdRef : 076322769
R. Claudi
- Function : Author
M. Downing
- Function : Author
E. Fedrigo
- Function : Author
R. Gratton
- Function : Author
N. Hubin
- Function : Author
M. Kasper
- Function : Author
C. Moutou
- Function : Author
- PersonId : 1156835
- IdHAL : claire-moutou
- ORCID : 0000-0002-2842-3924
- IdRef : 10151218X
J. Pragt
- Function : Author
H. M. Schmid
- Function : Author
M. Turrato
- Function : Author
S. Udry
- Function : Author
R. Waters
- Function : Author
F. Wildi
- Function : Author
Abstract
Direct detection and spectral characterisation of extrasolar planets is one of the most exciting but also one of the most challenging areas in modern astronomy. For its second-generation instrumentation on the VLT, ESO has supported two phase A studies for a so-called ‘Planet Finder' dedicated instrument. Based on the results of these two studies, a unique instrument, SPHERE, is now considered for first light in 2010, including a powerful extreme adaptive optics system (SAXO), various coronagraphs, an infrared differential imaging camera (IRDIS), an infrared integral field spectrograph (IFS) and a visible differential polarimeter (ZIMPOL).