Stellar and exoplanet investigations in the context of the TESS and JWST space missions (09.3.3-LMT-K-712-01-0103)

This research is funded by the European Social Fund according to the activity ‘Improvement of researchers’ qualification by implementing world-class R&D projects’ of Measure No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712.

The determination of accurate physical parameters for stars which host exoplanets is a crucial step in characterizing the size and nature of the planets, and one can only know the planet to the level that the host star is known. This project will carry out a detailed spectral analysis for a sample of about 1000 bright Galactic field F, G, and K stars, among which almost every star is expected to host a planet or planet system to be detected by the NASA TESS Space Mission. High resolution optical spectra, obtained at the Moletai Observatory of the Vilnius University, will be analyzed using modern techniques, and the main parameters and chemical composition of stars will be determined, including the key elements in searching of life like Li, C, O, Mg, Si. Most interesting stars will be investigated by series of spectral and photometric observations. The observations will be interpreted in the light of the TESS data, which will be analysed in this project, and used for the characterization of discovered exoplanets. Among most challenging goals of this project is to start analysing the high-resolution planet transit spectra obtained with the NASA/EAS/CAS James Webb Space Telescope, which will fly the following 5 – 10 years. This project is starting in Lithuania the new direction of research and will have a long-lasting impact to the science development in Lithuania, it will allow to be on a front line of scientific research.

Duration: 4 years (2018 01 08 - 2022 01 07)
PI: habil. dr. Gražina Tautvaišienė