MPS on the Hunt for Planets

Abstract

Planetary systems toward the Galactic Bulge can be detected through microlensing measurements. The microlensing planet search technique has some unique merits: low-mass planets can be detected from the ground; the Galactic family of planetary systems can be sampled unbiased; the time scale for the completion of each event is relatively short. The unambiguity of the underlying low-multiplicity point lenses is an indispensable element that allows robust interpretaion of the events. We have found the first circumbinary planet in the microlensing event MACHO-97-BLG-41. We have found evidence of a low mass planet (few Earths to Neptune mass) in a very high magnification event MACHO-98-BLG-35. We emphasize the necessity for coherent searches of microlensing planets with a network of instruments in the southern hemisphere. The network can also be vitally instrumental for follow-up observations of SN1a's and GRB's which share with microlensing planets the transiency as well as the clues to our quest of the origins.