This research involves the acquisition of a longitudinally-spaced global network of fully automated medium-wide field telescopes in the southern hemisphere, with the primary purpose of detecting exoplanets transiting stars in the magnitude range 9.5 - 13.5. This project builds on, and is modeled after, the very successful northern hemisphere version of the system. Statistically, approximately 25 exoplanets per year are expected to be discovered with this system. Three telescope sites would be built, in Namibia, Chile, and Australia, allowing round-the-clock monitoring of light curves. The work will involve partnerships with the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the Namibian site; the Australian National University at the Siding Spring, Australia, site; and with Las Campanas Observatory in Chile. The discovery of planets beyond our own solar system is a topic of intense interest to both astronomers and the general public. The data products resulting from this work will also form an extensive catalog of stellar variability data.
