// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Radial Velocity
The speed at which an object is moving directly towards or away from an observer or another point.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Radial velocity is the component of an object's velocity vector that lies along the line of sight between the object and an observer, indicating motion directly towards or away from the observer, and is measured via the Doppler shift of electromagnetic radiation in astrophysics and astrodynamics.
BACKGROUND
This glossary of aerospace engineering terms pertains specifically to aerospace engineering, its sub-disciplines, and related fields including aviation and aeronautics. For a broad overview of engineering, see glossary of engineering.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Line-of-sight velocity
- Doppler velocity
- along-sight velocity
USAGE NOTE
Astronomers use radial velocity measurements to detect exoplanets by observing the wobble of their host stars.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Radial Velocity.
ESO operates several world-leading ground-based observatories, including the La Silla Observatory and Paranal Observatory, which host high-precision spectrographs like HARPS and ESPRESSO. These instruments are specifically designed and heavily used for detecting exoplanets through the radial velocity method.
While primarily known for space-based missions, NASA funds and conducts extensive research in astrophysics and exoplanet detection, including projects that utilize or advance radial velocity techniques through ground-based observatories and future mission concepts.
ESA contributes to exoplanet research through various missions and supports ground-based observatories. Although less direct than ESO in ground-based RV, ESA's overall astrophysics program includes significant efforts in understanding exoplanet properties, where radial velocity data is crucial.
Pioneers in exoplanet discovery, the University of Geneva's Astronomy Department, particularly the Geneva Observatory, has been at the forefront of developing and utilizing the radial velocity method, notably with the discovery of 51 Pegasi b. They continue to be leaders in exoplanet research and instrumentation.
The Carnegie Institution has a rich history in exoplanet research, with scientists making significant contributions to the development and application of the radial velocity technique for discovering and characterizing exoplanets.
MPIA conducts extensive research in exoplanet formation and characterization. They are involved in developing and using high-precision spectrographs for radial velocity measurements to detect and study exoplanets, often in collaboration with ESO and other international partners.
Caltech is a leading research institution in astronomy, involved in exoplanet detection and characterization. JPL, managed by Caltech for NASA, develops advanced instrumentation for space and ground-based astronomy, contributing to the technologies used in radial velocity measurements.
NAOJ operates the Subaru Telescope and other facilities, which are equipped with spectrographs used for exoplanet research. They are actively involved in programs that utilize the radial velocity method to search for and characterize exoplanets.