Abstract

I propose to study extrasolar planets with available state-of-the-art ground-based intrumentation. Different approaches will be attempted to both detect new system and characterize atmospheres of known exoplanets. We will continue our radial velocity surveys, extend our campaign to monitor transit parameter variations, pursue transit spectroscopy and occultation photometry on more suitable targets, use extreme adaptive optics to attempt direct detection of exoplanets, and explore the feasibility of promising new methods. Based on experience from previous years, signicant student involvement is expected to to help with these tasks, currently 2 doctoral candidates, 2 master candidates, and 3 undergraduate are directly involved in this project's topics (2 master theses have been successfully completed in the last two years). Several professional collaborations are also in place to warrant successful realization of this program. We present preliminary results for most of the methods showing that the required signal-to-noise ratio is attainable under realistic observing conditions. In all, we have been awarded close to 100 days of telescope time over the last 4 years, and several more hours have been secured for the coming semesters. The proposed research, cornerstone of the growing astrobiology eld, is also expected to generate great interest in the general population and thus outreach will be taken seriously and focused through my recently acquired domain www.astrobiology.cl, which will also act as a gateway to the science done by chileans from the different disciplines involved.