SPOTS: The Search for Planets Orbiting Two Stars. I. Survey description and first observations

TL;DR

This paper introduces SPOTS, a pioneering direct imaging survey targeting circumbinary planets, detailing its methodology, initial results from 26 targets, and establishing a foundation for future observations with advanced instruments.

Contribution

First dedicated direct imaging survey for circumbinary planets, demonstrating feasibility and establishing a framework for future high-contrast imaging studies.

Findings

No confirmed substellar companions found in pilot survey

Several promising candidates identified for follow-up

Astrometry of three resolved binaries reported

Abstract

Direct imaging surveys for exoplanets commonly exclude binary stars from their target lists, leaving a large part of the overall planet demography unexplored. To address this gap in our understanding of planet formation and evolution, we have launched the first direct imaging survey dedicated to circumbinary planets: SPOTS, the Search for Planets Orbiting Two Stars. In this paper, we discuss the theoretical context, scientific merit, and technical feasibility of such observations, describe the target sample and observational strategy of our survey, and report on the first results from our pilot survey of 26 targets with the VLT NaCo facility. While we have not found any confirmed substellar companions to date, a number of promising candidate companions remain to be tested for common proper motion in upcoming follow-up observations. We also report on the astrometry of the three resolved binaries in our target sample. This pilot survey constitutes a successful proof of concept for our survey strategy and paves the way for a second stage of exploratory observations with VLT SPHERE.