Objective "The direct imaging of planets around other stars has begun in earnest. The main challenge in imaging these faint companions is the large contrast between star and planet. By using a combination of adaptive optics, coronagraphs, thermal wavelength imaging and point spread function modeling, current ground based telescopes can search closer to target stars for extrasolar giant planets. The applicant proposes to continue his current exoplanet surveys using the facilities at Steward Observatory (the Large Binocular Telescope, LBT) and European facilities (the ESO Very Large Telescope, VLT) and characterize new discoveries with spectroscopy.In moving to Leiden, the applicant will use the resources to develop these exoplanet detection techniques, and start a project with a PhD student partly funded with this reintegration grant to measure the ground layer atmospheric turbulence at high telemetry rates for further analysis. By providing real world data for European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) adaptive optics simulations, the performance of next generation of exoplanet instruments will be increased." Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanetsexoplanetologynatural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyobservational astronomy Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG - Marie Curie Action: "Reintegration Grants" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IRG - International Re-integration Grants (IRG) Coordinator UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN EU contribution € 100 000,00 Address RAPENBURG 70 2311 EZ Leiden Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Agglomeratie Leiden en Bollenstreek Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Tonnis Brouwer Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data