Collaborative Research: Nearby M dwarf stars as high-priority targets for exoplanet searches

在这份合作提案中，塞巴斯蒂安·L·派恩博士和埃里克·盖多斯博士将完成对附近被称为M矮星的低质量恒星进行的最大规模和最完整的普查。他们将确定行星搜索的最优先目标，特别是在其母恒星宜居带内或附近的地球质量行星。以前的许多调查都对这些目标有偏见，因为它们很模糊或目录不完整；此外，一些M矮星可能有耀斑和斑点，使它们不适合行星搜索。由L博士完成的SUPERBLINK恒星运动调查，包括了在太阳50秒内估计的50,000个低质量系统中的95%以上。研究小组将对1万颗恒星进行大规模光谱调查，以监测大气活动，估计重元素丰度，确定空间运动，并推断年龄，以便挑选出最有可能发现系外行星的目标。他们还将建立和维护一个全面的系外行星搜索目标数据库，其中将包括每颗恒星的基本参数(光度、距离、组成、活动水平、估计质量和年龄)，并将跟踪在每个系统中识别系外行星的任何努力的结果。系外行星目标名单将公开并定期更新，以追踪当前系外行星调查计划的目标，以及那些已在其周围发现行星的目标。这将使系外行星研究人员能够协调他们的努力，并让公众随时了解最新的发现。本科生实习生(每年两名)将参与AMNH研究项目的所有阶段。夏威夷大学的一名研究生将参与光谱和光度研究。这项研究的结果将被纳入美国自然历史博物馆/海登天文馆数据库(The Digital Galaxy)，该数据库作为天文馆沉浸式3D太空展的一部分，每年向100万名参观者展示。每年都会就这项研究的某些方面--太阳系外行星或宜居性--制作一段公众宣传短片。

In this collaborative proposal, Drs. Sebastien Lépine and Eric Gaidos will complete the largest and most complete census of nearby, low-mass stars, which are called M dwarf stars. They will identify the highest priority targets for planet searches, especially for Earth-mass planets in or near the habitable zones of their parent stars. Many previous surveys have been biased against these targets because they are faint or incompletely cataloged; furthermore, some M dwarf stars may have flares and spots that render them unsuitable for planet searches. The SUPERBLINK stellar motion survey, now being completed by Dr. Lépine, includes more than 95% of the estimated 50,000 low-mass systems within 50 parsecs of the Sun. The research team will carry out a large-scale spectroscopic survey of 10,000 stars to monitor atmospheric activity, estimate heavy element abundances, determine space motions, and infer ages, in order to select for targets with the highest potential for exoplanet discoveries. They will also build and maintain a comprehensive database of exoplanet search targets that will include each star's fundamental parameters (luminosity, distance, composition, activity level, estimated mass and age) and will track the results of any effort to identify exoplanets in each of those systems. The list of exoplanet targets will be made publicly available and updated on a regular basis to track down targets of current exoplanet survey programs, and those around which planets have already been discovered. This will allow for exoplanet researchers to coordinate their efforts, and for the public to be kept informed of the latest discoveries. Undergraduate interns (two per year) will be involved at all stages of the research project at AMNH. One graduate student at the University of Hawaii will participate in the spectroscopic and photometric investigations. Results of this research will be incorporated into the American Museum of Natural History / Hayden Planetarium database (the Digital Galaxy), which is presented to 1 million visitors each year as part of the Planetarium's immersive 3D Space Show. A short video for public outreach will be produced each year on some aspect of this research, extrasolar planets, or habitability.