Analysis and Interpretation of Planetary Gravitational Microlensing Events

这项研究的中心是开发用于分析太阳系外行星微透镜信号的工具和技术。将开展四项具体活动，以显著提高目前正在进行的微透镜行星搜索的观测能力。它们包括：1)将开发新的软件工具，使微透镜行星搜索界能够适当地解释对行星主恒星的后续观测，并获得所观测的行星微透镜事件的完整解决方案。2)自动实时行星信号识别将纳入天体物理微透镜观测数据流水线。这将使微透镜光曲线中的行星偏差能够在其形成的早期被发现，以便其他小组进行密集的后续行动。预计这一能力将使行星探测效率提高至少两倍。3)将在Bennett和Rhie的光线曲线建模代码中添加二元和三重透镜事件曲线建模。这对于理解多行星和可能的外双星微透镜事件很重要，这些微透镜事件似乎构成了所有可探测的行星微透镜事件的很大一部分。该代码将首先与探测透镜异常网络的其他成员共享，然后分发给整个社区。4)将对Bennett微透镜调查模拟程序进行修改，以模拟未来的微透镜调查。结果将是对行星探测率的估计，这有助于确定计划中的搜索计划是否会显著增加我们对太阳系外行星系统的了解。圣母大学的本科生和一名研究生将参与这一努力，使他们能够参与行星发现。此外，行星微透镜信号的实时发现将立即向公众广播，让任何拥有望远镜的人都可以参与行星发现。还将编制Bennett-Rhie双星事件模拟代码以供公开分发，这将消除大量天文学家参与微透镜行星搜索领域的一个重要障碍。

This research centers around the development of tools and techniques for the analysis of microlensing signals from extrasolar planets. Four specific activities will be undertaken to significantly improve the observational capabilities of microlensing planet searches currently underway. They include: 1) new software tools will be developed that will enable the microlensing planet search community to properly interpret follow-up observations of planetary host stars and to obtain complete solutions to the observed planetary microlensing events. 2) Automated real-time planetary signal identification will be incorporated into the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics survey data pipeline. This will allow planetary deviations in microlensing light curves to be detected early in their development for intensive follow-up by other groups. It is expected this capability will increase planet detection efficiency by at least a factor of two. 3) Binary and triple lens event curve modeling will be added to the Bennett and Rhie light curve modeling code. This is important for understanding multiple planet and possible circumbinary microlensing events which appear to comprise a significant fraction of all detectable planetary microlensing events. This code will first be shared with other members of the Probing Lensing Anomalies NETwork, and then distributed to the community at large. 4) The Bennett microlensing survey simulation routine will be modified to model future microlensing surveys. The result will be estimations of planet detection rates which can help determine if planned search programs would add significantly to our knowledge of extrasolar planetary systems.Notre Dame undergraduates and a graduate student will be involved in this effort, allowing them to participate in planet discovery. Moreover, the real-time discovery of planetary microlensing signals will immediately be broadcast to the public, allowing anyone with a telescope to participate in planet discovery. The Bennett-Rhie binary event modeling code will also be prepared for public distribution which will remove an important obstacle to the participation of a larger number of astronomers in the microlensing planet search field.