Ground-based Observations Programme

In order to fulfil the PLATO scientific objectives, the Ground-based Observation Programme (GOP) will play an important role, as it is necessary for the confirmation and characterisation of planets. For this the PLATO Mission Consortium (PMC) has established a GOP Team that will perform the ground-based observations of the planet candidates in the Prime Sample. The Prime Sample for the first observation field, LOPS2, has been defined by the PMC and approved by the Science Working Team. The Prime Sample stars are listed in the PIC 2.2. 

Ground-based follow-up observations of planet candidates orbiting targets not included in the Prime Sample may be carried out by the community at large as part of the PLATO legacy. ESA will invite the community to provide their data and results, to make them accessible also through the PLATO Science Archive (PAX).