ESPRESSO ProjectSearch and Characterization of rocky planets in the habitable zoneSearch and Characterization of rocky planets in the habitable zone

3-D model of the new ultra-precise ESPRESSO spectrograph. It will be 10 times more precise than any other instrument beforehand.3-D model of the new ultra-precise ESPRESSO spectrograph. It will be 10 times more precise than any other instrument beforehand.Credit/credito: IAC

ESO’s Very-Large Telescope (VLT) on Cerro Paranal, Chile. ESPRESSO will collect the light of up to four 8.2 m telescopes.ESO’s Very-Large Telescope (VLT) on Cerro Paranal, Chile. ESPRESSO will collect the light of up to four 8.2 m telescopes.Credit/credito: ESO

ESPRESSO will search for rocky planets in the habitable zone, i.e. for planets similar to our Earth. The example of Gliese 581 d has indicated the path …ESPRESSO will search for rocky planets in the habitable zone, i.e. for planets similar to our Earth. The example of Gliese 581 d has indicated the path …Credit/credito: Franck Selsis

2011 – Project start2016 – Installation on site2017 – Start of operations

2006 – Project start2016 – Installation on site2017 – Start of operations

European Southern ObservatoryInstituto de Astrofísica de CanariasPhysics Institute, University of BernObservatory of the University of GenevaINAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di BreraINAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di TriesteUniversidade de Lisboa, SIM/IDL & LOLSCentro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto

The project El proyecto The site El sitio

The instrument El instrumento

Science Ciencia

The Consortium El Consorcio

Contacts: F. Pepe (Principal Investigator) – email: francesco.pepe@unige.ch