Expected effects of hot CCD pixels on detection of transits of extra-solar planets with the Kepler Mission

Thomas Nicholas Gautier III; Ronald Gilliland

doi:10.1117/12.552051

12 October 2004 Expected effects of hot CCD pixels on detection of transits of extra-solar planets with the Kepler Mission

Thomas Nicholas Gautier III, Ronald Gilliland

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5487, Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Space Telescopes; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552051
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2004, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Abstract

Detection of Earth sized extra-solar planets by the transit method requires measurement of quite small variations (~8x10^-5) in the brightness of candidate stars. Noise contributed by hot pixels in CCD detectors operating in the space environment, among other noise sources, must be understood and controlled in order to design transit experiments like the Kepler Mission, which will attempt to measure the distribution of planets as small as the Earth around solar type stars from space. We have analyzed the hot pixel statistics for CCD detectors on several operating space instruments and conclude that neither the amplitude nor the variability of hot pixels will significantly impair the ability of the Kepler Mission to detect transits of earth sized planets transiting solar type stars. The Kepler Mission is currently in the design stage and is expected to begin operation in 2007.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas Nicholas Gautier III and Ronald Gilliland "Expected effects of hot CCD pixels on detection of transits of extra-solar planets with the Kepler Mission", Proc. SPIE 5487, Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Space Telescopes, (12 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.552051

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available