The Gemini NICI Planet-Finding Campaign

这个奖项是为了支持双子座NICI行星发现运动。刘博士和合作者将对环绕其他恒星运行的大质量（1木星质量）行星进行迄今为止规模最大、灵敏度最高的直接成像调查。NICI（近红外日冕成像仪）是安装在Gemini-South 8.1米望远镜上的新型高对比度自适应光学相机，专门用于通过双通道甲烷波段成像直接探测系外行星。NICI有望为在扩展的太阳附近的年轻（1亿年）恒星周围的行星伴星提供出色的灵敏度。除了提供行星本身的图像外，这项工作还有望解决太阳系外行星形成的三个具体问题：1)行星在其他太阳系外（5-10个天文单位）区域的分布，2)行星频率对恒星宿主质量的依赖，以及3)年轻太阳系外行星的分光光度特性。目标选择将通过蒙特卡罗模拟进行优化，预计将在150颗待调查的年轻恒星中发现几颗巨行星。该项目的研究目标将在项目各个阶段培养博士后研究助理的同时完成。下一代科学家将接受快速发展的系外行星和自适应光学科学领域的培训，以及在8米望远镜上进行实时观测的实践经验。特别是，高对比度自适应光学系统的观测技术和专业知识的发展是迈向未来高角度分辨率地面天文学的重要一步。本科生也有望通过天文研究所正在进行的美国国家科学基金会本科生研究经验项目参与这项工作。刘博士还将继续通过公开讲座和讨论参与正在进行的外联工作，这些讲座和讨论将突出介绍这项研究和结果。

This award is in support of the Gemini NICI Planet-Finding Campaign. Dr. Liu and collaborators will be conducting the largest and most sensitive direct imaging survey to date for massive (1 Jupiter Mass) planets orbiting other stars. NICI (the Near-Infrared Coronagraphic Imager) is the new high contrast adaptive optics camera on the Gemini-South 8.1-meter telescope, tailored to direct detection of extrasolar planets through dual-channel methane-band imaging. NICI is expected to provide excellent sensitivity to planetary companions around young ( 100 million years) stars in the extended solar neighborhood.In addition to providing images of the planets themselves, three specific issues in extrasolar planet formation are expected to be addressed through this work: 1) the distribution of planets in the outer ( 5-10 AU) regions of other solar systems, 2) the dependence of planet frequency on stellar host mass, and 3) the spectrophotometric properties of young extrasolar planets. Target selection will be optimized through Monte Carlo simulations and it is expected that several giant planets will be detected among the 150 young stars to be surveyed.The research goals of this project will be accomplished in tandem with the training of a postdoctoral research associate at all stages of the project. This next generation of scientists will receive training in the rapidly growing fields of exoplanets and science with adaptive optics, as well as hands-on experience with real-time observing on an 8-meter telescope. In particular, development of observational techniques and expertise with high contrast adaptive optics systems is an important step toward future high angular resolution ground-based astronomy. Undergraduate students are also expected to be involved in the work through the Institute for Astronmy's ongoing NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Dr. Liu will also continue to participate in ongoing outreach efforts through public lectures and discussions, where this research and the results will be prominently featured.