Bonn 2010 – scientific programme

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SYEW: Symposium Extrasolare Welten

SYEW 1: Extrasolare Welten

SYEW 1.2: Invited Talk

Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 17:15–17:45, HG I

Gravitational Microlensing: A powerful method for the detection of extrasolar planets — •Joachim Wambsganss — Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg (ZAH), Heidelberg, Germany

After a short general introduction on the different search methods for exoplanets, I will present and discuss the gravitational microlensing technique. The basics of the method and its current mode of operation will be explained as well as its advantages and disadvantages compared to other planet-search techniques. By now more than a dozen microlensing planets have been found, some of them with properties surprisingly similar to the solar system planets. A couple of these microlensing planets will be discussed in detail. The most interesting result so far: low mass planets at a few AU ("cool Neptuns") are common. In a brief outlook, the immense potential of microlensing for good statistical inference on the Galactic population of exoplanets will be emphasized, as well as its sensitivity to low mass exoplanets and even exomoons.