An all sky extrasolar planet survey with new generation multiple object doppler instruments at sloan telescope

The All Sky Extrasolar Planet Survey (ASEPS) would use the Sloan 2.5-m wide field telescope and new generation multiple object high throughput Doppler instruments to undertake a large-scale visible and near-IR band Doppler survey of up to ∼250,000 relatively bright stars (generally V up to < 13 for the visible and J < 11 for the near IR) for extrasolar planets between 2008-2013. An extended survey continuing until ∼2020 could survey an additional ∼250,000 stars and obtain information on long-period planets from the earlier detected planet sample, possibly detecting many solar analogs. ASEPS aims to increase the number of extrasolar planets by nearly two orders of magnitude (up to ∼10,000 planets in the 12-year survey using all clear nights). This dramatic increase in the number of known planets would allow astronomers to study correlations among the diverse properties of extrasolar planets much more effectively than at present. Additionally, the large number of planet discoveries will enable the detection of rare planets that may have eluded previous planet searches, as well as transiting planets, and interacting multiple planet systems. In March-June 2006, a single full-scale multi-object W.M. Keck Exoplanet Tracker (Keck ET) with 60 object capability was commissioned and a trial planet survey of ∼420 V=8-12 solar type stars has been conducted at Sloan telescope. Since the 2006 August engineering run, the instrument performance (throughput, image quality, and Doppler precision) has been substantially improved. Additional stars are being searched for planets.