PLATOSpec: a precise spectrograph in support of space missions
Abstract
The upcoming space missions that will characterize exoplanets, such as PLATO and Ariel, will collect huge amounts of data that will need to be complemented with ground-based observations. The aim of the PLATOSpec project is to perform science with an echelle spectrograph capable of measuring precise radial velocities. The main focus of the spectrograph will be to perform the initial screening and validation of exoplanetary candidates, in addition to study stellar variability. It will be possible to determine the physical properties of large exoplanets. The PLATOSpec blue-sensitive spectrograph, with a spectral range of 380 to 700\,nm and a resolving power of R=70,000, is installed on the 1.5-m telescope at the ESO La Silla Observatory in Chile. Initial results show that the radial-velocity limit given by the wavelength calibration is about 2-3 m/s. Tests on bright F-K main-sequence standard stars reveal a scatter of about 5 m/s over a few hours. The scatter over a few months is slightly higher. We demonstrate the capabilities of PLATOSpec on the mass determination of WASP-79 b and the spin-orbit alignment of WASP-62\,b via the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect. We show its possible usage on variable star research as demonstrated on the false-positive exoplanetary candidate TIC 238060327, which is proven a binary star. Investigation of line-profile variations of the roAp star alpha Cir shows that PLATOSpec can also be used for the surface mapping. Finally, we present new results on the active star UY Pic in the PLATO southern field. Our results show that PLATOSpec is a versatile spectrograph with great precision.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2510.11961,
title = {PLATOSpec: a precise spectrograph in support of space missions},
author = {P. Kabáth and M. Skarka and A. Hatzes and E. Guenther and L. Vanzi and R. Brahm and J. Janík and P. Pintr and P. Gajdoš and J. Lipták and J. Žák and H. M. J. Boffin and L. Antonucci and G. Avila and Z. Balkóová and M. E. Ball and M. Flores and A. Fuentes and J. Fuchs and R. Greimel and A. Gajardo and V. D. Ivanov and J. Köhler and M. Leitzinger and T. Moravčík and J. Nečásek and R. J. U. Neubert and P. Odert and G. Olguin and M. Tala Pinto and M. Roth and L. Řezba and V. Schaffenroth and M. Sigwarth and J. Srba and A. Suárez and P. Škoda and J. Šubjak and J. Václavík and M. Veselý and R. Veselý and M. Vítková and J. U. Winkler and M. Zummer and E. Ždárská},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.11961},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
submitted to MNRAS