Precision radial velocity surveys for exoplanets [Elektronische Ressource] / put forward by Mathias Zechmeister

DissertationsubmittedtotheCombinedFacultiesoftheNaturalSciencesandMathematicsoftheRuperto-Carola-UniversityofHeidelberg,GermanyforthedegreeofDoctorofNaturalSciencePutforwardbyDiplom-PhysikerMathiasZechmeisterbornin:Wippra,GermanyndOralExamination:2 February2011PrecisionRadialVelocitySurveysforExoplanetsReferees: Prof.Dr.ThomasHenningProf.Dr.JoachimWambsganß1AbstractSincethe90sastronomershavediscoveredaround500extrasolarplanets.Mostofthemhavebeenfoundwith the radial velocity method. In this work we present our precision radial velocity measurementsfor a sample of 40 M dwarfs and 30 solar-like stars. The data sets originate from four different instru-ments (UVES, CES+LC, CES+VLC, and HARPS) and are investigated for indications of planets. Weperform several statistical tests for excess-variability, long-term trends, and periodicities. For the latterpurpose, we have developed further a commonly used period analysis tool, the so called Lomb-Scargleperiodogram.Our radial velocity precision of a few m/s is approximately sufficient for the aspired goals, namelythe search for terrestrial planets in the habitable zones of M dwarfs and the search for Jupiter analoguesaroundsolar-likestars.Wedemonstratethiswithmassupperlimits.Ourdataanalysisdoesnotrevealanynew planet, while we can confirm the two known planets around the solar-like stars ι Hor and HR 506as well as the long-term trend forε Ind A.