Analysis and Interpretation of Planetary Gravitational Microlensing Events

这项研究的中心是开发工具和技术，用于分析来自太阳系外行星的微透镜信号。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正确解释行星宿主恒星的后续观测，并获得观测到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学微透镜观测调查数据管道。这将使微透镜光变曲线中的行星偏差在其发展的早期被检测到，以便其他小组进行密集的后续工作。预计这种能力将使行星探测效率至少提高两倍。3)二元和三元透镜事件曲线建模将被添加到班尼特和Rhie光曲线建模代码中。这对于理解多行星和可能的环双星微透镜事件是很重要的，这些事件似乎包含了所有可探测到的行星微透镜事件的很大一部分。此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)将修改班尼特微透镜勘测模拟程序，以模拟未来的微透镜勘测。结果将是行星探测率的估计，这可以帮助确定计划中的搜索计划是否会大大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项工作，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，允许任何拥有望远镜的人参与行星发现。Bennett-Rhie二元事件建模代码也将准备公开分发，这将消除更多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.