# The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Guaranteed time observations Data Release 1 (2016-2020)

**Authors:** I. Ribas, A. Reiners, M. Zechmeister, J. A. Caballero, J. C. Morales, S. Sabotta, D. Baroch, P. J. Amado, A. Quirrenbach, M. Abril, J. Aceituno, G. Anglada-Escudé, M. Azzaro, D. Barrado, V. J. S. Béjar, D. Benítez de Haro, G. Bergond, P. Bluhm, R. Calvo Ortega, C. Cardona Guillén  
**arXiv:** [2302.10528](https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.10528)  
**Date:** 2023-02-21  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2302.10528v1/

## Key points

- The CARMENES instrument was designed to search for temperate rocky planets around nearby cool stars by delivering high-accuracy radial velocity (RV) measurements with long-term stability.
- CARMENES Data Release 1 (DR1) includes all observations obtained during the guaranteed time observations from 2016 to 2020, consisting of 19,633 spectra for a sample of 362 targets.
- The survey target selection aimed at minimising biases, resulting in about 70% of all known M dwarfs within 10 pc and accessible from Calar Alto being included.
- High-level data products were derived, including 18,642 precise RVs for 345 targets and time series data of spectroscopic activity indicators.
- Examples are given on how CARMENES data have been used to identify and measure planetary companions as well as determine stellar properties, characterise stellar activity, and study exoplanet atmospheres.
- The contextual view provided by the survey reveals an exoplanet population that includes 33 new planets, 17 re-analysed planets, and 26 confirmed planets from transiting candidate follow-up.
- A subsample of 238 targets was used to derive updated planet occurrence rates yielding an overall average of nearly every M dwarf hosting at least one planet with a mass between 1 M_Earth < M sin i <1000 M_Earth and orbital period between 1 d < P_orb <1000 d.
- CARMENES is a valuable tool for future exoplanet studies due to its long-term stability in RV measurements and broad wavelength coverage providing valuable spectral information to assess potential RV signals.

## Summary

The CARMENES instrument was designed to search for temperate rocky planets around nearby cool stars by delivering high-accuracy radial velocity (RV) measurements with long-term stability. Its broad wavelength coverage also provides valuable spectral information to help characterise the stellar targets and assess the nature of potential RV signals. The recently released CARMENES Data Release 1 (DR1) includes all observations obtained during the guaranteed time observations from 2016 to 2020, consisting of 19,633 spectra for a sample of 362 targets. The survey target selection aimed at minimising biases, resulting in about 70% of all known M dwarfs within 10 pc and accessible from Calar Alto being included. The data were pipeline-processed, and high-level data products were derived, including 18,642 precise RVs for 345 targets and time series data of spectroscopic activity indicators. The statistical properties of the stellar sample and spectroscopic measurements are discussed in detail. Examples are given on how CARMENES data have been used to identify and measure planetary companions as well as determine stellar properties, characterise stellar activity, and study exoplanet atmospheres. The contextual view provided by the survey reveals an exoplanet population that includes 33 new planets, 17 re-analysed planets, and 26 confirmed planets from transiting candidate follow-up. A subsample of 238 targets was used to derive updated planet occurrence rates yielding an overall average of nearly every M dwarf hosting at least one planet with a mass between 1 M_Earth < M sin i <1000 M_Earth and orbital period between 1 d < P_orb <1000 d.

Overall, the CARMENES DR1 has proven very useful for identifying planetary companions as well as additional applications such as determining stellar properties and studying exoplanet atmospheres. With its long-term stability in RV measurements and broad wavelength coverage providing valuable spectral information to assess potential RV signals, CARMENES is a valuable tool for future exoplanet studies.