A Search for Extra-Solar Planets via Gravitational Microlensing

AST-9619575班尼特 通过引力微透镜寻找太阳系外行星。 天文学家对发现和描述围绕其他恒星运行的行星系统的目标有很大的兴趣。 大卫班尼特博士和他的同事们将实施一项观测计划，通过引力微透镜来发现围绕其他恒星运行的行星。 他将跟踪最初通过其他观察员团队进行的调查发现的微透镜事件。 这一项目的主要观测设施设在南非，班尼特博士正在与南非天文学家合作，为这一研究工作安装适当的仪器并使望远镜投入使用。 NSF的国际项目部通过提供旅行资金来协助这项奖励。

AST-9619575 Bennett A Search for Extra-Solar Planets via Gravitational Microlensing. There is great astronomical interest in the goal of finding and characterizing planetary systems orbiting other stars. Dr. David Bennett and colleagues will put into place an observational program to discover planets orbiting other stars by means of gravitational microlensing. He will follow-up on microlensing events initially discovered through surveys conducted by other teams of observers. Principal observational facilities for this project are in South Africa, and Dr. Bennett is collaborating with South African astronomers to get the telescope properly instrumented and operational for this research effort. The Division of International Programs at NSF is assisting on this award by providing travel funds.