IAU XXVIII General Assembly: Special Session #13
High-Precision Tests of Stellar Physics from High-Precision Photometry
The COROT and Kepler space missions were designed and built to use high-precision photometry to find planets - particularly small ones - around other stars by detecting transits. These missions follow on the path led by surveys and missions such as MOST, MACHO, and OGLE, and are complemented by other photometric surveys for planets (XO, WASP, HATnet, etc.). To do this they stare at large fields for extended periods of time. Also, extremely high photometric precision (about 1:100,000 in the case of Kepler) is needed to find Earth-sized planets.
Such precision is well beyond what has been done before, and having continuous data for a large number of stars is even better. Any study of that kind will unearth types of variations not seen or appreciated before in addition to the trove of planets discovered. Those variations are being studied and are leading to all-new insights into the physics of stars across the H-R diagram.
Supporting Commissions:
- Commission 25 - Stellar Photometry & Polarimetry
- Commission 26 - Double & Multiple Stars
- Commission 27 - Variable Stars
- Commission 37 - Star Clusters & Associations
Important Note
Joint Discussion 13 is part of the scientific programme of the XXVIII General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, which will take place in Beijing, China, August 27-31 2012. This website contains information directly relevant to the Special Session #13: High-Precision Tests of Stellar Physics from High-Precision Photometry. Please check the GA website for all other information, including accommodations, social program, Visa information, etc.