Ground-based observations of Kepler asteroseismic targets

TL;DR

This paper details the extensive ground-based observational efforts by the Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortium to characterize and follow up on over 5000 Kepler asteroseismic targets using a wide array of global telescopes.

Contribution

It reports the coordination of multi-instrument, international ground-based observations to support Kepler asteroseismic studies, highlighting the scale and scope of the observational campaign.

Findings

Over 530 observing nights conducted

Data collected from 36 instruments at 31 telescopes

Global collaboration across 12 countries

Abstract

We present the ground-based activities within the different working groups of the Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortium (KASC). The activities aim at the systematic characterization of the 5000+ KASC targets, and at the collection of ground-based follow-up time-series data of selected promising Kepler pulsators. So far, 36 different instruments at 31 telescopes on 23 different observatories in 12 countries are in use, and a total of more than 530 observing nights has been awarded. (Based on observations made with the Isaac Newton Telescope, William Herschel Telescope, Nordic Optical Telescope, Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, Mercator Telescope (La Palma, Spain), and IAC-80 (Tenerife, Spain). Also based on observations taken at the observatories of Sierra Nevada, San Pedro Martir, Vienna, Xinglong, Apache Point, Lulin, Tautenburg, Loiano, Serra la Nave, Asiago, McDonald, Skinakas, Pic du Midi, Mauna Kea, Steward Observatory, Mt Wilson, Bialkow Observatory of the Wroclaw University, Piszkesteto Mountain Station, Observatoire de Haute Provence, and Centro Astronomico Hispano Aleman at Calar Alto. Based on data from the AAVSO International Database.)