PICSAT : observing the transit of exoplanet β-Pictoris b
(report 2017)
β Pictoris b is a young still forming planet at only 19.3 parsecs from the Sun and therefore the closest that we know of. With an age of only 20 million years, it is a perfect object of study for understanding the formation mechanism of giant planets. Because the system is seen edge-on, there is a unique possibility that the planet transits in front of its star. It is a rare event, taking place only once every 18 years. This transit could take place during the end of 2017, with an uncertainty of three months. The PICSAT project is a dedicated space-based photometric observatory to observe this unique object. The launch of PicSat is scheduled for December 2017.
Go here to see videos about PICSAT.
Contact : Vincent Lapeyrere (project lead) vincent.lapeyrere @ obspm.fr
See also : PICSAT website