M-dwarf Astrometry With Adaptive Optics
Abstract
There are compelling reasons to search for planets around late M-dwarfs: current planet surveys have not been able to target these optically-faint stars, and the reduced primary stellar mass improves planet detection sensitivity for new techniques which can target these stars. We here demonstrate that one can employ aging 2 m telescopes for dedicated astrometric programs in the spirit of the RESTAR program to revitalize the US 2 m-class telescope population. Using a new low-cost adaptive optics system designed for 2 m-class telescopes we would be able to find planetary systems around late M-dwarfs with detection sensitivities approaching a few Earth masses.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #214
- Pub Date:
- May 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AAS...21422903L