MOST - Microvariability & Oscillations of Stars Microsatellite
Space Mission.

Science Team:
Jaymie Matthews (U. British Columbia)[PI], Anthony Moffat (U. de Montreal), Slavek Rucinski (U. of Toronto), Dimitar Sasselov (CfA), David Guenther (St. Mary's U.), Gordon Walker (UBC), and Werner Weiss (U. of Vienna). PHOTO.

The primary objective of the MOST space mission is long-duration stellar photometry of high precision. The main goal is to achieve uninterrupted observations of low-amplitude multi-mode pulsating stars (roAp, Del Sct, Cepheid-like, and WR stars). We hope to be able to characterize the excitation of higher-order modes in all these pulsators. The instrument on MOST is being designed to achieve a level of precision to allow unambiguous detection of solar-like oscillations in other stars. We hope to be able to study the details of their power spectrum. We will particularly try to measure the p-mode splittings in a metal poor dwarf in an attempt to estimate directly its age and compare it to the ages of the oldest objects in our Galaxy. Observations of solar-like stars with close-in giant planets, like 51 Peg, will allow us to measure the reflected light from the planet along its orbit.

Successfully launched and working - June 30, 2003

A paper on MOST by J. Matthews

Canadian Space Agency
Dynacon Enterprises Ltd. & U. of Toronto Institute of Aerospace Studies.

Similar Space Missions:

COROT (France)
KEPLER (USA).