EPJ Web of Conferences (Apr 2013)

The Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS)

  • Goad Michael,
  • Genolet Ludovic,
  • Erikson Anders,
  • Eigmüller Philipp,
  • Cabrera Juan,
  • Burleigh Matthew,
  • Bento Joao,
  • Bannister Nigel,
  • Walker Simon,
  • Louden Tom M.,
  • Chazelas Bruno,
  • West Richard G.,
  • Watson Christopher A.,
  • Rauer Heike,
  • Queloz Didier,
  • Pollacco Don L.,
  • Wheatley Peter J.,
  • Grange Andrew,
  • Jordán Andrés,
  • Lawrie Katherine,
  • McCormac James,
  • Neveu Marion

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20134713002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 47
p. 13002

Abstract

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The Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) is a new ground-based sky survey designed to find transiting Neptunes and super-Earths. By covering at least sixteen times the sky area of Kepler, we will find small planets around stars that are sufficiently bright for radial velocity confirmation, mass determination and atmospheric characterisation. The NGTS instrument will consist of an array of twelve independently pointed 20 cm telescopes fitted with red-sensitive CCD cameras. It will be constructed at the ESO Paranal Observatory, thereby benefiting from the very best photometric conditions as well as follow up synergy with the VLT and E-ELT. Our design has been verified through the operation of two prototype instruments, demonstrating white noise characteristics to sub-mmag photometric precision. Detailed simulations show that about thirty bright super-Earths and up to two hundred Neptunes could be discovered. Our science operations are due to begin in 2014.