Seismology with a Fourier-transform spectrometer: applications to giant planets and stars

A method to detect the acoustic oscillation spectrum of giant planets and stars exploits the multiplex properties of a Fourier-transform spectrometer (FTS). It is based on measurement of the small Doppler shift related to the oscillation of the atmosphere measured from all the lines in a portion of the planetary or the stellar spectrum directly from the interferogram. The resulting amplitude modulation of the output signal is recorded continuously over several consecutive nights at a fixed path difference selected from criteria of optimum efficiency. Hence the Fourier transform of this signal yields the pressure-mode spectrum of the object. Applications to Jupiter, Saturn, and Procyon, observed in this mode with the step-scan FTS installed in the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, are presented. Future projects are discussed.