CARMENES: Calar Alto high-Resolution search for M dwarfs with Exo-earths with a Near-infrared Echelle Spectrograph

TL;DR

CARMENES is a planned high-resolution near-infrared spectrograph for the Calar Alto Telescope aimed at detecting habitable exoplanets around M dwarfs through precise radial velocity measurements.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design and objectives of CARMENES, a new instrument dedicated to exoplanet discovery around M dwarfs using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Findings

Design of a next-generation spectrograph for M dwarf observations

Expected to achieve m/s radial velocity precision

Aims to identify habitable exoplanets

Abstract

CARMENES, Calar Alto high-Resolution search for M dwarfs with Exo-earths with a Near-infrared Echelle Spectrograph, is a study for a next-generation instrument for the 3.5m Calar Alto Telescope to be designed, built, integrated, and operated by a consortium of nine German and Spanish institutions. Our main objective is finding habitable exoplanets around M dwarfs, which will be achieved by radial velocity measurements on the m/s level in the near-infrared, where low-mass stars emit the bulk of their radiation.