PLATO 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 PMC will organise a GOP Team that will perform the ground-based observations of the planet candidates in the “prime sample”. The "prime sample” will be defined by the PMC, and will consist of PLATO Input Catalogue (PIC) targets to be observed with high PLATO accuracy. The “prime sample” with the targets in the first sky field will be defined nine months before launch and updated six months before every satellite sky field pointing.

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.