Proposal Information

Name:
Mike Bessell
Title:
Echelle observations of Gemini Planet Imager Candidates
Project Description:
Tonight's observers are taking spectra of low mass stars that are suspected to be very young and close to the Earth. The youth of a low mass star is estimated from the presence of lithium is the spectrum as lithium is easily destroyed in the atmosphere of a star as the surface slowly mixes. Young stars thus found are ideal for imaging with giant infrared telescopes to see whether they have a planetary system.