The Microlensing Planet Finder: Completing the Census of Extrasolar Planets in the Milky Way
Year: 2004
Type: article
Abstract: The Microlensing Planet Finder (MPF) is a proposed Discovery mission that will complete the first census of extrasolar planets with sensitivity to planets like those in our own solar system. MPF will employ a 1.1m aperture telescope, which images a 1.3 sq. deg. field-of-view in the near-IR, in order to detect extrasolar planets with the gravitational microlensing effect. MPF's sensitivity extends down to planets of 0.1 Earth masses, and MPF can detect Earth-like planets at all separations from 0.7AU to infinity. MPF's extrasolar planet census will provide critical information needed to understand the formation and frequency of extra solar planetary systems similar to our own.
Authors: Bennett, D. P., Bond, I., Cheng, E., Friedman, S., Garnavich, P., Gaudi, B., Gilliland, R., Gould, A., Greenhouse, M., Griest, K., Kimble, R., Lunine, J., Mather, J., Minniti, D., Niedner, M., Paczynski, B., Peale, S., Rauscher, B., Rich, M., Sahu, K., Tenerelli, D., Udalski, A., Woolf, N., Yock, P.
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3098560304