PLATOSpec: a precise spectrograph in support of space missions

ABSTRACT The upcoming space missions that will characterize exoplanets, such as PLATO and Ariel, will collect huge amounts of data that will need to be complemented with ground-based observations. The aim of the PLATOSpec project is to perform science with an echelle spectrograph capable of measuring precise radial velocities. The main focus of the spectrograph will be to perform the initial screening and validation of exoplanetary candidates, in addition to study stellar variability. It will be possible to determine the physical properties of large exoplanets. The PLATOSpec blue-sensitive spectrograph, with a spectral range of 380–700 nm and a resolving power of $R=70\,000$, is installed on the 1.5-m telescope at the ESO La Silla Observatory in Chile. Initial results show that the radial-velocity limit given by the wavelength calibration is about 2–3 m s−1. Tests on bright F-K main-sequence standard stars reveal a scatter of about 5 m s−1 over a few hours. The scatter over a few months is slightly higher. We demonstrate the capabilities of PLATOSpec on the mass determination of WASP-79 b and the spin-orbit alignment of WASP-62 b via the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect. We show its possible usage on variable star research as demonstrated on the false-positive exoplanetary candidate TIC 238060327, which is proven a binary star. Investigation of line-profile variations of the roAp star $\alpha$ Cir shows that PLATOSpec can also be used for the surface mapping. Finally, we present new results on the active star UY Pic in the PLATO southern field. Our results show that PLATOSpec is a versatile spectrograph with great precision.

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Journal
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Published
2025-11-08
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf1972
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.19
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PLATOSpec: a precise spectrograph in support of space missions

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Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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article

PLATOSpec: a precise spectrograph in support of space missions

R. Neubert, Jiří Žák, A. E. Suárez, J. Srba, Alessia Gajardo, Jakub Nečásek, Marcelo Tala Pinto, M. Leitzinger, M. Sigwarth, Rafael Brahm, M. Skarka, J. Šubjak, P. Gajdoš, Petr Škoda, E. W. Guenther, L. Řezba, Ján Janík, P. Kábath, A. P. Hatzes, Martin J. J. Vesely, Markus Ludwig, Antonio Fuentes, Rebecca Vesely, Pavel Pintr, V. D. Ivanov, J. Václavík, H. M. J. Boffin, V. Schaffenroth, P. Odert, R. Greimel, M. Roth, J. Winkler, Michaela Vítková, J. Fuchs, L. Vanzi, G. Ávila, Mauricio Flores, M. Ball, Jan Köhler, J. Lipták, Z. Balkóová, M. Zummer, L Antonucci, T. Moravčík, G. Olguin, E. Ždárská
article en
1 citations

Abstract

ABSTRACT The upcoming space missions that will characterize exoplanets, such as PLATO and Ariel, will collect huge amounts of data that will need to be complemented with ground-based observations. The aim of the PLATOSpec project is to perform science with an echelle spectrograph capable of measuring precise radial velocities. The main focus of the spectrograph will be to perform the initial screening and validation of exoplanetary candidates, in addition to study stellar variability. It will be possible to determine the physical properties of large exoplanets. The PLATOSpec blue-sensitive spectrograph, with a spectral range of 380–700 nm and a resolving power of $R=70\,000$, is installed on the 1.5-m telescope at the ESO La Silla Observatory in Chile. Initial results show that the radial-velocity limit given by the wavelength calibration is about 2–3 m s−1. Tests on bright F-K main-sequence standard stars reveal a scatter of about 5 m s−1 over a few hours. The scatter over a few months is slightly higher. We demonstrate the capabilities of PLATOSpec on the mass determination of WASP-79 b and the spin-orbit alignment of WASP-62 b via the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect. We show its possible usage on variable star research as demonstrated on the false-positive exoplanetary candidate TIC 238060327, which is proven a binary star. Investigation of line-profile variations of the roAp star $\alpha$ Cir shows that PLATOSpec can also be used for the surface mapping. Finally, we present new results on the active star UY Pic in the PLATO southern field. Our results show that PLATOSpec is a versatile spectrograph with great precision.

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical SocietyVol. 545(1)
European Southern Observatory (DE), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (CL), University of Pavol Jozef Šafárik (SK), Adolfo Ibáñez University (CL), Masaryk University (CZ), Czech Academy of Sciences, Astronomical Institute (CZ), Graz University of Technology (AT), Stuttgart Observatory (DE), Centre for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics (UZ), Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Plasma Physics (CZ), Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SK), Thüringer Landessternwarte Tautenburg (DE), The Ohio State University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
Astronomy and Astrophysical Research
1.19
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