Next-Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) To Hunt and Study Exoplanets

The Next-Generation Transit Survey (NGTS), a wide-field observing system by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) was launched and has achieved first light.

The Survey will focus on transiting exoplanets or planets that passes in front of their parent star. This movement by the exoplanets produces a slight dimming of the light emitted by the stars which can be detected by light sensitive instruments. The telescopes of NGTS will be focusing on discovering Neptune-sized and smaller planets, with diameters between two and eight times that of Earth.

The Next-Generation Transit Survey is located at the European Southern Observatory's Paranal Observatory in northern Chile. The site benefits from the superb observing conditions and its excellent support facilities.

The NGTS telescopes are made up of an array of 12 modified versions of small high-quality commercial telescopes made by Astro Systeme Austria (ASA). Each has an aperture of 20 centimeters. The NGTS cameras are modified ikon-L cameras by Andor Technology Ltd built around red-sensitive deep-depletion CCDs by e2v.

The NGTS was made possible by a consortium comprised of the UK, Switzerland, and Germany.