IntroductionMINERVA will be an array of small-aperture robotic telescopes built atop Palomar Mountain outfitted for both photometry and high-resolution spectroscopy. It will be the first U.S. observatory dedicated to exoplanetary science capable of both precise radial velocimetry and transit studies. The multi-telescope concept will be implemented to either observe separate targets or a single target with a larger effective aperture. The flexibility of the observatory will maximize scientific potential and also provide ample opportunities for education and public outreach. The design and implementation of MINERVA will be carried out by postdoctoral and student researchers at Caltech.Project StatusThe development and implementation of MINERVA will take place in 4 stages. The project is currently in the conceptual design stage (Phase 0). Selection of hardware components are being finalized as well as designs for the telescope enclosures, spectrometer structure, and fiber acquisition unit. A site survey on Palomar Mountain is now underway to determine the optimal site for the project in consideration of the primary science goals and environmental impact. Expected project elements include:
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PartnershipMINERVA is a partnership between Caltech and Penn State.Project Team
Telescope EnclosureAqawan preliminary design (A. Hjelstrom, LCOGT) SpectrometerKiwispec |
Project Documentation
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Technical LibraryOrganized by Product Breakdown Structure |
Integrated Product Teams | Members (Lead) | Meetings (Pacific Time) | Location |
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Management | (Johnson), Swift, Dekany | Various | Caltech/JPL |
Systems Enginieering | (Muirhead), Gardner, Bottom | Various | Caltech/JPL |
Infrastructure | (Swift), Bottom, Johnson | Various | Caltech/JPL |
Software | Various | Caltech/JPL | |
Integration & Testing | (Bottom), Muirhead, Johnson, Swift | Various | Caltech/JPL |
Performance | (Bottom), Muirhead, Johnson, Swift | Various | Caltech/JPL |
I | Attachment | History | Action | Size | Date | Who | Comment |
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jpg | Aqawan.jpg | r1 | manage | 195.4 K | 2012-01-16 - 04:26 | UnknownUser | aqawan conceptual design |
jpg | Banner2.jpg | r1 | manage | 396.7 K | 2012-01-16 - 04:15 | UnknownUser | |
jpg | Caltech.jpg | r1 | manage | 66.5 K | 2012-01-16 - 00:07 | UnknownUser | |
jpg | Iso_Full_Assembly_Zenith.jpg | r1 | manage | 599.3 K | 2012-02-01 - 00:48 | UnknownUser | |
png | KiwiSpec.png | r1 | manage | 377.4 K | 2012-01-16 - 04:53 | UnknownUser | KiwiSpec |
png | Kiwispec_prot.png | r1 | manage | 93.1 K | 2012-02-03 - 00:41 | UnknownUser | kiwispec prototype schematic |
png | Penn-State.png | r1 | manage | 46.5 K | 2012-01-16 - 00:10 | UnknownUser | |
jpeg | cdk700.jpeg | r1 | manage | 44.9 K | 2012-01-10 - 22:14 | UnknownUser | PlaneWave CDK700 |