NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0382
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0382 |
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PI: Marie-Eve Naud, University of Montreal, naud@astro.umontreal.ca
Address: Department of Physics, PO Box 6128, Station Centreville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
CoI: Etienne Artigau, University of Montreal
CoI: Lison Malo, University of Montreal
CoI: Rene Doyon, University of Montreal
CoI: David Lafreniere, University of Montreal
CoI: Christian Marois, Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics
CoI: Bruce McIntosh, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
CoI: Travis Barman, Lowell Observatory
CoI: Jennifer Patience, University of Exeter
Title: A Planet Search around Young-associations M dwarfs (PSYM survey)
Abstract:
A comprehensive investigation of the formation and evolution of giant planets
requires a thorough direct imaging search for planets around primaries of all
masses. Currently, as published direct imaging surveys have focused on
solar-type or more massive primaries, and since relatively few nearby young
low-mass stars were known, low-mass stars are under-represented in the sample
targeted by previous searches. Using a new Bayesian analysis that takes into
account proper motion, sky position, chromospheric activity (Halpha and
X-ray), photometry and radial-velocity, we have identified 160 new low mass
(>M0) members of nearby young (<50 Myr) associations. Being young and nearby,
these newly-identified members are ideal targets for direct imaging searches.
We propose to observe this sample of new low-mass stars with NICI to search
for self-luminous giant planets down to 2 Mjup at orbital separations of
15-500 AU. Our survey will nearly quadruple the number of young M-dwarfs
probed for planets and will allow, for the first time, to place constraints
on the existence of planets around low-mass stars at a level comparable to
what has been done for more massive stars.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0382 |
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