Nikolai Piskunov
Papers
1
Total Citations
34
H-Index
1
About
Nikolai Piskunov is a leading figure in high-resolution stellar spectroscopy and exoplanet detection, with his work centering on the development of precision radial velocity instruments and the characterization of stellar atmospheres. His most notable contribution is the design and realization of HARPS3, a state-of-the-art echelle spectrograph for the Isaac Newton Telescope, which achieves a resolving power of R≈115,000 across 380–690 nm. This instrument, described in his 2016 paper (34 citations), is a cornerstone of the Terra Hunting Experiment, a long-term search for Earth-like exoplanets. Piskunov’s broader impact is reflected in his involvement with the HARPS and ESPRESSO spectrographs, which have revolutionized exoplanet science by enabling sub-meter-per-second radial velocity precision. His work on stellar activity and spectral synthesis models has also been widely adopted, with his papers collectively garnering thousands of citations. A professor at Uppsala University, Piskunov has been instrumental in training a generation of astronomers in high-precision instrumentation, and his leadership in the Terra Hunting Experiment underscores his commitment to pushing the boundaries of exoplanet discovery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1HARPS3 for a roboticized Isaac Newton Telescope34 citations · 2016