Friday 28 March 2025
A team of astronomers has made a significant breakthrough in calibrating the instrumental drift in MAROON-X, an extreme precision radial velocity spectrograph deployed on the 8.1-meter Gemini-N telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii. The instrument’s ability to detect subtle changes in the light coming from stars is crucial for identifying exoplanets and understanding their properties.
MAROON-X uses a stabilized Fabry-Perot etalon to measure the wavelength of starlight, which allows it to detect tiny shifts in the star’s velocity due to orbiting planets. However, the instrument’s baseline can be affected by various factors such as changes in temperature, humidity, and even the Earth’s rotation. These drifts can introduce errors into the measurements, making it difficult to accurately determine the properties of exoplanets.
To mitigate this problem, the team used an ensemble analysis approach, combining data from 11 targets that exhibit small radial velocity scatter or have signals that can be precisely constrained using Keplerian or Gaussian Process models. By analyzing these targets together, they were able to identify and correct for the instrumental drift, achieving a precision of about 0.5 meters per second.
The results of this study are significant not only because they demonstrate the ability to accurately calibrate MAROON-X’s instrumental drift but also because they pave the way for more precise exoplanet hunting. With the ability to detect smaller and more distant planets, scientists can gain a better understanding of the formation and evolution of planetary systems.
The team’s approach is also an important step towards improving the accuracy of radial velocity measurements in general. By developing techniques that can correct for instrumental drift, astronomers can make more precise measurements of starlight and gain insights into the properties of exoplanets.
MAROON-X has already made significant contributions to our understanding of planetary systems, including the detection of several exoplanets orbiting small, cool stars. With its improved calibration, the instrument is poised to make even more significant discoveries in the years to come.
Cite this article: “Calibrating MAROON-X: A Breakthrough in Extreme Precision Radial Velocity Spectrography”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Astronomy, Exoplanets, Radial Velocity, Instrumental Drift, Calibration, Maroon-X, Gemini-N Telescope, Maunakea, Hawaii, Stabilized Fabry-Perot Etalon, Ensemble Analysis
