Santos, N. C.; Rebolo, R.; Cristiani, S.; Molaro, P.; Coretti, I.; Cupani, G.; Conconi, P.; Amate, M.; Allende Prieto, C.; Aliverti, M.; Affolter, M.; Genolet, L.; Gomes, R.; Fragoso, A.; Galeotta, S.; Figueira, P.; Delabre, B.; Dorn, R.; De Caprio, V.; D'Odorico, V.; Di Marcantonio, P.; Cabral, A.; Abreu, M.; Coelho, J.; Cirami, R.; Broeg, C.; Bristow, P.; Baldini, V.; Avila, G.; Zerbi, F. M.; Mégevand, D.; Dekker, H.; Pepe, F.; González Hernández, J. I.; Hughes, I.; Iwert, O.; Kerber, F.; Landoni, M.; Lizon, J.-L.; Lovis, C.; Maire, C.; Mannetta, M.; Martins, C.; Monteiro, M.; Oliveira, A.; Poretti, E.; Rasilla, J. L.; Riva, M.; Santana Tschudi, S.; Santos, P.; Sosnowska, D.; Sousa, S.; Spanó, P.; Tenegi, F.; Toso, G.; Vanzella, E.; Viel, M.; Zapatero Osorio, M. R.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomische Nachrichten, Vol.335, Issue 1, p.8
Description
The acronym ESPRESSO stems for Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky
Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observations; this
instrument will be the next VLT high resolution spectrograph. The
spectrograph will be installed at the Combined-Coudé Laboratory
of the VLT and linked to the four 8.2 m Unit Telescopes (UT) through
four optical Coudé trains. ESPRESSO will combine efficiency and
extreme spectroscopic precision. ESPRESSO is foreseen to achieve a gain
of two magnitudes with respect to its predecessor HARPS, and to improve
the instrumental radial-velocity precision to reach the 10 cm
s-1 level. It can be operated either with a single UT or
with up to four UTs, enabling an additional gain in the latter mode. The
incoherent combination of four telescopes and the extreme precision
requirements called for many innovative design solutions while ensuring
the technical heritage of the successful HARPS experience. ESPRESSO will
allow to explore new frontiers in most domains of astrophysics that
require precision and sensitivity. The main scientific drivers are the
search and characterization of rocky exoplanets in the habitable zone of
quiet, nearby G to M-dwarfs and the analysis of the variability of
fundamental physical constants. The project passed the final design
review in May 2013 and entered the manufacturing phase. ESPRESSO will be
installed at the Paranal Observatory in 2016 and its operation is
planned to start by the end of the same year.
Related projects
Very Low Mass Stars, Brown Dwarfs and Planets
Our goal is to study the processes that lead to the formation of low mass stars, brown dwarfs and planets and to characterize the physical properties of these objects in various evolutionary stages. Low mass stars and brown dwarfs are likely the most numerous type of objects in our Galaxy but due to their low intrinsic luminosity they are not so
Chemical Abundances in Stars
Stellar spectroscopy allows us to determine the properties and chemical compositions of stars. From this information for stars of different ages in the Milky Way, it is possible to reconstruct the chemical evolution of the Galaxy, as well as the origin of the elements heavier than boron, created mainly in stellar interiors. It is also possible to
