<i>KEPLER MISSION</i> DESIGN, REALIZED PHOTOMETRIC PERFORMANCE, AND EARLY SCIENCE

Abstract

The Kepler Mission, launched on Mar 6, 2009 was designed with the explicit\ncapability to detect Earth-size planets in the habitable zone of solar-like\nstars using the transit photometry method. Results from just forty-three days\nof data along with ground-based follow-up observations have identified five new\ntransiting planets with measurements of their masses, radii, and orbital\nperiods. Many aspects of stellar astrophysics also benefit from the unique,\nprecise, extended and nearly continuous data set for a large number and variety\nof stars. Early results for classical variables and eclipsing stars show great\npromise. To fully understand the methodology, processes and eventually the\nresults from the mission, we present the underlying rationale that ultimately\nled to the flight and ground system designs used to achieve the exquisite\nphotometric performance. As an example of the initial photometric results, we\npresent variability measurements that can be used to distinguish dwarf stars\nfrom red giants.\n