(Proposal ID) S16A-125

(PI) Helminiak, Krzysztof

(Proposal Title)
Killing two birds with one stone - precise radial velocities of eclipsing 
binaries

(Abstract)
We propose to use the HDS spectrograph with iodine (I_2) cell to observe a 
sample of detached eclipsing binary stars. With our unique I_2-based method 
we will derive radial velocities (RVs) with a precision of 1-10 m/s. They will 
be used to determine highly precise stellar masses, and, in combination with 
additional photometry from dedicated robotic telescopes or the {Kepler} 
satellite, to obtain a full set of accurate stellar parameters. The level of 
precision possible to achieve is 10-100 better than the state-of-the-art. 
Additionally, the RVs will be precise enough to search for circumbinary 
extrasolar planets. Detection of planets orbiting both components binaries 
will have significant consequences for theoretical understandings of planet 
formation. 
This is a northern counterpart of a large observational project, which is 
already providing unprecedented in quality set of the basic parameters of 
stars to test the theories of the stellar structure and evolution, improve 
fundamental calibrations, and unique constraints for the theories of planet 
formation and evolution.