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arXiv · 1903.08187

Wide-Orbit Exoplanet Demographics

Abstract

The Kepler, K2 and TESS transit surveys are revolutionizing our understanding of planets orbiting close to their host stars and our understanding of exoplanet systems in general, but there remains a gap in our understanding of wide-orbit planets. This gap in our understanding must be filled if we are to understand planet formation and how it affects exoplanet habitability. We summarize current and planned exoplanet detection programs using a variety of methods: microlensing (including WFIRST), radial velocities, Gaia astrometry, and direct imaging. Finally, we discuss the prospects for joint analyses using results from multiple methods and obstacles that could hinder such analyses. We endorse the findings and recommendations published in the 2018 National Academy report on Exoplanet Science Strategy. This white paper extends and complements the material presented therein.

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David P. Bennett, Rachel Akeson, Yann Alibert, Jay Anderson, Etienne Bachelet, Jean-Phillipe Beaulieu, Andrea Bellini, Aparna Bhattacharya, Alan Boss, Valerio Bozza, Stephen Bryson, Derek Buzasi, Sebastiano Calchi Novati, Jessie Christiansen, Shawn D. Domagal-goldman, Michael Endl, Benjamin J. Fulton, Calen B. Henderson, B. Scott Gaudi, Samson A. Johnson, Naoki Koshimoto, Michael Meyer, Gijs D. Mulders, Susan Mullally, Ruth Murray-Clay, David Nataf, Eric Nielsen, Henry Ngo, Ilaria Pascucci, Matthew Penny, Peter Plavchan, Radek Poleski, Clement Ranc, Sean N. Raymond, Leslie Rogers, Johannes Sahlmann, Kailash C. Sahu, Joshua Schlieder, Yossi Shvartzvald, Alessandro Sozzetti, Rachel Street, Takahiro Sumi, Daisuke Suzuki, Neil Zimmerman. 2019-03-19. Wide-Orbit Exoplanet Demographics. https://arxiv.org/abs/1903.08187

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