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Clio is an adaptive-optics camera mounted on the 6.5 meter MMT optimized for diffraction-limited L and M-band imaging over a ~15 field. The instrument was designed from the ground up with a large well-depth, fast readout thermal infrared (~3-5 micron) 320 by 256 pixel InSb detector, cooled optics, and associated focal plane and pupil masks (with the option for a coronograph) to minimize the thermal background and maximize throughput. When coupled with the MMTs adaptive secondary AO (two warm reflections) systems low thermal background, this instrument is in a unique position to image nearby warm planets, which are the brightest in the L and M-band atmospheric windows. We present the current status of this recently commissioned instrument that performed exceptionally during first light. Our instrument sensitivities are impressive and are sky background limited: for an hour of integration, we obtain an L-band 5 sigma detection limit of of 17.0 magnitudes (Strehl ~80%) and an M-band limit of 14.5 (Strehl ~90%). Our M-band sensitivity is lower due to the increase in thermal sky background. These sensitivities translate to finding relatively young planets five times Jupiter mass at 10 pc within a few AU of a star. Presently, a large Clio survey of nearby stellar systems is underway including a search for planets around solar-type stars, M dwarfs, and white dwarfs. Even with a null result, we can place strong constraints on planet distribution models.
Young giant exoplanets are a unique laboratory for understanding cool, low-gravity atmospheres. A quintessential example is the massive extrasolar planet $beta$ Pic b, which is 9 AU from and embedded in the debris disk of the young nearby A6V star $b
We present the results of infrared L-band (3-4 micron) and M-band (4-5 micron) VLT-ISAAC spectroscopy of five bright Ultraluminous InfraRed Galaxies (ULIRGs) hosting an AGN. From our analysis we distinguish two types of sources: ULIRGs where the AGN
Images obtained with NIRI on the Gemini North telescope are used to investigate the photometric properties of the central regions of M31 in the 3 - 5 micron wavelength range. The light distribution in the central arcsecond differs from what is seen i
We present 3-5 micron spectroscopy of the interacting system NGC 6240, showing the presence of two active galactic nuclei. The brightest (southern) nucleus shows up with a starburst-like emission, with a prominent 3.3 micron emission feature. However
Like the miniaturization of modern computers, next-generation radial velocity instruments will be significantly smaller and more powerful than their predecessors.