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. Published direct imaging surveys have focused on solar-type or more massive primaries, and nearby young low-mass stars are under-represented in the samples covered. Using a new Bayesian analysis that takes into account kinematics and youth indicators as well as a follow-up program, our team identified new low mass(>K7) members of nearby young(<100 Myr) associations, thus constituting an ideal sample for direct imaging searches. The PSYM program, started in 2010, comprises two portions: one with NICI, to search for self-luminous giant planets at orbital separations of 15-500AU down to 2 Mjup, and one with GMOS photometry, to survey the 100-5000AU region down to 3-5Mjup. Here, we propose to continue the NICI program, adding 21 new candidates and making the 2nd epoch on 2 others. When finished, our survey will greatly increase the number of young M-dwarfs probed for planets, which will allow to place constraints on the existence of planets around such stars at a level comparable to what has been done for more massive ones.
- Publication:
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NOAO Proposal
- Pub Date:
- February 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012noao.prop..310N